Anne Vincent has been a medical laboratory technologist for point-of-care testing at KHSC for 18 years. Knowing a loved one could one day need point-of-care testing is what drives her to do her very best.
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Matthew Manor/KHSC
Every shift, Anne Vincent makes her rounds to about half a dozen units at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC).
As a medical laboratory technologist for point-of-care testing, part of her role includes making sure care teams are set up for success.
“Point-of-care testing is the testing of any samples taken from a patient and performed at or near the bedside. The point is to have a fast turnaround time because the results could lead to a possible change in the care of that individual,” explained Vincent.
“We have testing that can check blood sugar in six seconds. We can do a blood gas analysis in three minutes. Everything we do is to ensure patients receive quality results from laboratory tests performed outside of the lab.”
There are more than a dozen tests that can be conducted at or near the bedside in 49 care providing areas at KHSC.
Vincent not only trains people on how to use the equipment, but she’s also part of a troubleshooting team.
When she visits units she’s keeping a close eye on inventory, making sure devices are working properly and monitoring for quality assurance.
“We have about 160 glucose meters, 10 blood gas analyzers, we also have tests to assess blood clotting. Our team has also trained more than 2000 point-of-care testing operators including nurses, physicians, midwives, respiratory therapists and perfusionists.
“If we don’t do our jobs, the front-line workers can’t do theirs.”
Even with 18 years on the job, her passion continues to grow.
“I love that the work we do matters. It’s important to me to know if a loved one comes to one of our hospitals and needs point-of-care testing done, they will get a quality result.
“I’m so fortunate to have a great team supporting me in the lab, especially Carol Hegadorn who works with me a few days a week.”
And when Vincent isn’t rocking her role, she’s rocking out with her husband, grandchildren and girlfriends.
A big fan of live music, she’s been to about 200 shows.
“We enjoy all kinds of live music, but we love Canadian rock bands. Our basement is decorated with posters, ticket stubs and merchandise from The Tragically Hip, The Trews, Arkells and The Glorious Sons.”
But there’s one band she’s still waiting to cross off her must see bucket list – The Foo Fighters.
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Anne Vincent has been a medical laboratory technologist for point-of-care testing at KHSC for 18 years. Knowing a loved one could one day need point-of-care testing is what drives her to do her very best.
