On October 10, 2024, the Ontario Society of Clinical Chemists (OSCC) hosted its Annual Scientific Meeting, partnering with IQMH to address the theme of “Over, Under, and Through.”

This inspiring theme underscored the ongoing pursuit of continuous improvement and quality in clinical diagnostics across Ontario.

IQMH showcased its commitment to enhancing laboratory quality with presentations on optimizing critical procedures and strengthening standards.

Alex Kumaritakis, Consultant Technologist with IQMH Proficiency Testing, led the way by introducing revisions to the Discordant Findings Investigations (DFI) form. His presentation detailed a streamlined, user-focused approach, highlighting efficiencies that could benefit laboratories by reducing redundancies and aligning with ISO 15189:2022 standards. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Kavsak, a member of the Chemistry Scientific Committee, brought the DFI insights to life with real-world case studies, providing attendees with practical examples of investigating discordant findings in clinical settings.

Jennifer Roberts, Senior Program Manager at Accreditation Canada Diagnostics, expanded on the day’s discussions by diving into Quality Standards for Point-of-Care Testing (POCT). She examined the growing importance of community-based POCT and the current regulatory landscape, providing an overview of upcoming quality standards aimed at enhancing patient safety and care quality outside traditional laboratory settings.

The joint meeting demonstrated IQMH’s shared mission to advance diagnostic accuracy and improve patient outcomes in a landscape that demands continuous adaptation and innovation. Through dynamic presentations and expert insights, IQMH continues to set new benchmarks for quality and collaboration in clinical diagnostics.