CARIBOU, Maine — Cary Medical Center joined hospitals across the country in celebration of National Lab Week, April 15–19. The hospital lab which hires some 28 staff and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year is critical to the diagnosis of patients. Staff in the lab work closely with members of the medical staff to provide accurate, timely results in an often busy environment.
Key to the success of the lab according to Lab Lead, Tina Dorr, medical lab technologist, is teamwork, “It can get extremely busy in the lab working on various testing, drawing blood on patients in the Emergency Department as well as hospitalized patients, but our team really pulls together to get the job done.”
The Cary lab is fortunate to have a number of staff with years of experience. Kristi Page, a phlebotomist who has been drawing blood for some 33 years, said that the reward from her work comes from interactions with patients.
“I love being around patients and building relationships, especially with patients who must have blood drawn frequently,” said Page. “Many patients have anxiety when they have to have their blood drawn but I have developed ways to make them feel more comfortable using humor and just talking. When the patient asks me when I am going to draw I often tell them it’s already been done”.
In addition to her work with patients, Page also said that there is a special atmosphere in the lab and she enjoys the people she works with.
“Over the years I have worked with some great people,” she said. “We are like a family and when someone goes down we all pinch in to help. It is really special when you know you can count on your co-workers at any time”.
A major development in the Cary lab over the past year has been the expansion of the phlebotomy, blood drawing area. With the hospital’s pathology transition to Dahl Chase in Bangor, space was freed up to move the blood bank and the blood drawing room was nearly doubled in size.
“Our patients love it,” said Chrissy Whitmore, a phlebotomist and pathology secretary. “They are so surprised when they come into the room and they are very pleased with the renovations”.
The upgrade in the phlebotomy area is something that patients have asked about over the years. Regen Gallagher, DO, and administrator of the lab said that it is really nice to be able to respond to patient requests.
“We know that the former space was crowded and privacy was limited,” said Gallagher, who is helping to prepare the lab for their inspection by the College of American Pathologists. “The improvements we have made are not only satisfying to patients but have improved the work environment for staff as well.”
In the newly renovated space the Lab can draw three patients at a time and the room has a separate space for more complex therapeutic draws. The room also has improved lighting and décor.
Another major development in the Cary lab was the transition of Pathology to Dahl Chase in Bangor. In the new arrangement Dahl Chase provides a medical director for the lab and all surgical specimens are sent to the Bangor facility for testing and analysis. According to Gallagher the transition has been very positive.
“This transition has been very smooth,” she said. “The relationship is very positive and we have a dedicated liaison from Dahl Chace who visits on site to help keep us up to date on all clinical guidelines and changes in regulations”.
Gallagher also pointed out that the hospital is now looking at the addition of a new chemistry instrument. The instrument is the most crucial in completing multiple lab tests. She pointed out that the new chemistry analyzer will have advanced features.
“We are looking to purchase the most advanced instrument that meets our needs and that can add additional testing that now must be sent out to reference labs. Our goal is to purchase the equipment so that we can have a back-up system in the event that the main system goes down. That will reduce any down time.”
Being open every day, all day and every day of the year can be stressful for staff. Ashli Bisson, who works as a phlebotomist and is completing her initial 90 days in the lab, said that her experience has been wonderful.
“I have worked other places,” said Bisson.“The great support I have received here is outstanding, something I have not experienced in the past. The leadership, and all the staff really work with you to assure that you are successful.”
The Cary Lab is nationally certified by the College of American Pathologists. The activity of the lab is considerable. In March of this year alone the lab completed more than 17,000 outpatient tests and some 1,400 in-patient tests. Like many other clinical areas, staffing in the lab is always a priority. The Medical Lab Technology program at the University of Maine at Presque Isle has been a critical resource for the hospital and many staff in the Cary lab are graduates of that MLT program. The hospital invites students or others who may be interested in a career working in the lab to visit or inquire about job shadowing. For more information contact human resources at Cary, 207-498-1234.
