Join our affiliates, HSO and Accreditation Canada in a virtual event on October 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. EST to recognize World Standards Day and explore how the organizations’ programs embed health equity principles to improve quality and health care outcomes.

The latest Proficiency Testing Programs are now availble in the 2024 PT Catalogue. 

To ensure product availability, orders should be placed no later than December 4, 2023. After this date, due to the number of samples available, surveys are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

IQMH is pleased to announce the publication of a scientific paper in The Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (eJIFCC) by members of the IQMH Chemistry Scientific Committee, and Julia Stemp, IQMH Consultant Technologist. The article, Age-stratified lithium therapeutic ranges for older adults with bipolar disorder – from awareness to an action plan, brings awareness and promotes the adoption of standardized therapeutic ranges for serum lithium to treat bipolar disorder.

With the Health Standards Organization’s (HSO) continued development of relationships and partnerships, the organization has supported the recent launch of Healthcare Excellence Canada’s (HEC) Workforce Innovation Challenge. The challenge is a common commitment between the two organizations to improve patient and workforce safety and quality.

IQMH is seeking volunteers to sit on its Proficiency Testing Scientific Committee(s), effective January 2024. 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.

The Canadian Society for Transfusion Medicine (CSTM) annual conference took place in Montreal from May 25–28, 2023, welcoming attendees from various sectors of the health care industry. This year’s theme, "Moving forward after 25 years of evolution," also celebrates the anniversary of Justice Horace Krever’s publication around the tainted blood crisis. The groundwork laid by Justice Krever served as the cornerstone for the establishment of Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec, as they undertook the task of reconstructing the blood system with a commitment to prioritizing the safety of all Canadians.

The WorldLab – EuroMedLab conference was held in Rome, Italy this year from May 21–25, where former IQMH scientific committee member, Paul M. Yip, who served as a member on the Chemistry committee from 2010–2020 and as Chair from 2017–2020, presented a virtual poster on understanding how medical laboratories manage reference intervals and post-analytical reporting of ferritin, and the future of harmonizing reporting across Canada.

Together with our affiliate, Accreditation Canada, IQMH commemorates National Indigenous History Month throughout June. This is an opportunity to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across Canada. During National Indigenous History Month, Canadians are encouraged to learn more about the history and diverse cultures of Indigenous peoples. This includes learning about the impact of colonialism, residential schools, and other injustices that have been imposed on Indigenous communities. In understanding the past and present experiences of Indigenous peoples, Canadians can work towards reconciliation and build stronger relationships based on respect, understanding, and shared values.

Together with our affiliate, Accreditation Canada, IQMH recognizes World Accreditation Day, a global initiative established by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) to promote the value of accreditation. Each year, June 9 marks an important day in the global health care community to recognize the pivotal role of accreditation in advancing quality in health care.