This National Volunteer Week, we thank all the IQMH Proficiency Testing Scientific Committee Members who dedicate their knowledge and time to the proficiency testing programs. It is because of the incredible work undertaken on the scientific committees that IQMH can provide quality proficiency testing programs to improve medical diagnostic testing in health care.

In 1948, countries from around the world founded the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote health and serve the vulnerable, with the goal of attaining the highest level of health and well-being of the world’s population.  

This April 7, 2023, the WHO observes its 75th anniversary of World Health Day, and uses the opportunity to recognize the improvements of public health successes over the last seven decades, as well as the current health challenges we face.

Each April, The Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) recognizes the critical role of medical laboratory professionals in the health care system.

​The Resources page of the IQMH website is home to a variety of discipline-specific Proficiency Testing scientific posters and publications.

IQMH is seeking volunteers to sit on its Proficiency Testing Scientific Committees, effective May 2023. Membership on committees consists of a three-year term of office, renewable once. Committees meet an average of four times a year for half-day or full-day meetings.

We are seeking the following member(s) at this time:

• Chemistry
• Cytopathology
• Genetics

On International Women’s Day, IQMH celebrates the achievements of women in health care. Millions of laboratory tests are performed each day that help with the diagnosis and treatment of health issues affecting Canadians. Many of these tests are conducted by women in the laboratory.

Discrimination against racialized communities, specifically Black people, is deeply entrenched and normalized in Canadian institutions, policies, and practices and often goes unseen to those who are not affected.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most commonly inherited single gene disorder among millions of people worldwide. This hereditary red cell disorder affects individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, i.e., Mediterranean, African, Caribbean, Middle East, South America, and South Asian. In Ontario, over 3500 people are affected by SCD with a total of more than 6,000 Canadians; predominantly in individuals who identify as Black.

The annual antimicrobial resistance (ARO) survey was created in collaboration by Public Health Ontario (PHO) and the Institute for Quality Management in Healthcare (IQMH) to understand current risks to patient safety specific to ARO resistance and improving infection control practices. 

​The prevalence of diabetes among Black Canadian adults is over two times the rate than in White Canadians.

Specifically, Type 2 diabetes in Black Canadians is caused by genetics, but also in part by social and environmental factors.

Almost half of Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Between 2015 and 2030, the number of new cancer cases diagnosed is expected to increase by about 40%.

Did you know 1 in 2 people struggling with mental health aren’t getting the help they need?  Workplaces can play an essential part in maintaining positive mental health.

On Bell Let’sTalk Day, IQMH encourages dialogue to bring greater awareness about mental health in the workplace.  

Elaine had big shoes to fill when she arrived at IQMH eight years ago. However, she immediately jumped into the role and continued to maintain the programs and excellent customer service, thanks to her extensive knowledge, expertise, and experience from being a previous customer herself. Elaine added value and improvement initiatives to her programs.