National Medical Laboratory Week, April 19 – 25, 2009, is a time to honor the medical laboratory professionals who perform and interpret laboratory tests that save lives and keep people healthy. Pathologists, laboratory technologist and phlebotomy technicians are among the many unsung heroes of healthcare.

At the Calais Regional Hospital Laboratory, you will find highly trained and experienced staff using state of the art equipment to detect unknown health problems and aide in the diagnosis and treatment of existing health conditions. Results of laboratory tests often identify the presence of disease in its earliest stages when the possibilities of a cure are the greatest and when treatment is the least costly.

“We provide general medical laboratory services for the hospital and community,” states Mark Kidder, CRH Medical Technologist and Lab Manager. The CRH lab staff consists of ten medical technologist and four phlebotomists and operates 24/7, with personnel on call during weekends and holidays. Lab personnel will be celebrating National Laboratory Week with events for hospital staff, prizes and an open house for the public. Anyone interested in getting a behind the scenes look at the CRH Lab is invited to stop by on Wednesday, April 22 between 4 and 5 p.m.

Mark credits his staff for their dedication, knowledge, and care towards the patients of Calais Regional Hospital. They work hard to make sure all testing is done as soon as possible so your physician can have the results needed to help you as soon as possible.

Laboratory medicine provides a crucial thread that runs through the entire patient care process. Test results from the laboratory drive a significant portion of clinical decisions, from diagnosis to therapy. “We are proud of the work we do,” states Mark. “We have to be painstakingly meticulous in performing our jobs to provide dependable answers to your family physicians. Each lab test is a chance to diagnose, treat and cure a patient.”