Not having the right to testify freely, they sent Radio-Canada information and photos to help us document what they describe as a chaos
.
According to our sources, 20,852 specimens had exceeded the usual processing time, as of February 27, 2023. The oldest has been waiting in a freezer since September 2021.
A grave
staff shortage
The MUHCwhich receives specimens from half of the island of Montreal, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Nord-du-Québec and Nunavik, (New window) recognizes that the legitimate level of frustration is high
.
The establishment claims to be caught in a vicious circle
because of severe shortage of staff
.
Of 91 positions, 42 are vacant at the central laboratory of the MUHCor 46%, according to the Alliance of Professional and Technical Personnel in Health and Social Services (APTS).
Last year, out of all the establishment’s laboratories (672 people), there were 61 resignations, or nearly 10% of the workforce. And that’s not counting early retirements, due to exhaustion.
It’s very stressful
As of February 27, important tests to diagnose blood diseases such as leukemia took up to 10 days, while the maximum time required is 48 hours.
We see the indication “backlog” on groups of overdue specimens, accumulated in a freezer.
Photo : Radio-Canada
More than 400 specimens were overdue for protein analysis to detect multiple myeloma. Some have been pending for six months, while the maximum recommended delay is two weeks.
This is of great concern to us for the health of the population.
says the vice-president of theAPTSSandra Étienne, herself a medical technologist.
« Medical technologists and laboratory technicians are in distress because they are well aware that behind every analysis there is a patient waiting for a diagnosis or a treatment. »
Sandra Etienne
Photo : Radio-Canada / Thomas Gerbet
For employees, it’s very stressful, they do what they can
she says.
Well beyond the required analysis times
Vitamin D tests (1.25), often requested in pediatrics and for Aboriginals, had a wait of up to 14 months, instead of the recommended two weeks, and 773 specimens were in backlog.
Nearly 2,000 lipoprotein analyzes were also overdue, up to a maximum of 17 months (September 2021), instead of the required two-day delay.
All collected samples that require a quick response are processed the same day
assures the spokesperson of the MUHCRebecca Burns.
« Certain analyses, such as vitamin D (1.25) or lipoprotein assays, which are not clinically urgent and therefore not treated as a priority, are on hold due to the serious shortage of personnel in hospital laboratories. of Quebec. »
Analyzes discarded due to delays
We’ve got to throw away expired specimens
, says Sandra Étienne. Asked about this, the MUHC don’t confirm it, but don’t deny it either. He has answered : Due to delays, more than one request may be made for the same test for the same patient. In these rare cases, the oldest direct debits are cancelled.
Poor working conditions
L’APTS denounces the work overload of its members due to delays and lack of staff. According to Sandra Étienne, the solutions offered by the MUHC are off-putting
et do nothing to help staff retention
.
She cites the example of rotating shift positions (day, evening, night) which do not offer employees stability. Also, she criticizes imposed overtime
.
Sandra Étienne asks that Quebec promote the professions of medical technologists and laboratory technicians, and that attraction and retention measures
are put in place.
A McGill University Health Center laboratory, in 2015.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Thomas Gerbet
More automation needed, says MUHC
The McGill University Health Center recognizes that the shortage of technologists and medical secretaries in public laboratories generates significant stress and fatigue among the staff on site
.
The establishment also blames departures of medical technologists and other highly qualified personnel to the private sector or other professions that offer more attractive salaries
.
« This situation favors departures, which causes more stress and fatigue. This is a vicious circle on which we are working in collaboration with the ministry. »
According to MUHC, the solution also requires more automation in our analysis processes
.
The establishment claims that the problem affects all laboratories in Quebec. Initiatives have been put in place by the Ministry of Health to remedy this situation. […]. We hope that they will have an effect and help to improve the situation in the coming weeks.
Doctors worried
Last month, a pediatrician in Rimouski was worried about having to make late diagnoses because of delays. The Federation of Medical Specialists of Quebec (FMSQ) and the Federation of General Practitioners (FMOQ) also wrote to Minister Christian Dubé asking him to intervene.
« The situation has deteriorated and it risks compromising patient safety. »
Martin Champagne, president of the Association of Hematologists and Oncologists of Quebec, told Radio-Canada that he had seen delays of more than a month, simply to open the package of specimens delivered to the laboratory of the University Hospital Center. of Montreal (CHUM).
Delays are sometimes catastrophic
, said the doctor. It tells a story in which the laboratory of the CHUM had no idea where the tubes were
because they weren’t out of the box yet.
Martin Champagne, President of the Association of Hematologists and Oncologists of Quebec.
Photo : Radio-Canada
Former Minister Barrette’s Optilab reform called into question
Martin Champagne also attributes part of the problem to the Optilab project, launched by the former Liberal government. Former Health Minister Gaétan Barrette created mega-laboratories, called server labs
where a large part of the analyzes from other hospitals are transferred.
There is a vicious circle caused by Optilab
according to Sandra Étienne of theAPTS. We ask for a decentralization of the laboratories.
The Parti Québécois made the same request earlier this month.
The government in reflection
We have of course heard the concerns of doctors regarding Optilab
says the office of the Minister of Health of Quebec, Christian Dubé.
« We will never compromise on the health of Quebecers, it is not negotiable. »
A working group has been set up with the ministry, the FMSQ and the FMOQ to discuss possible solutions concerning Optilab. A second meeting is scheduled shortly. We hope that concrete solutions can emerge
says the minister’s office.
A forum specifically on Optilab will also be organized during the month of April with the professional orders, the unions and the actors of the network to take stock of the organization of the laboratories.