Out-of-town laboratory medical technologists, adjusted hours at the lab for outpatients, and point-of-care testing are some methods that Shared Health is using to manage a current staffing shortage at the Thompson General Hospital.

A spokesperson for Shared Health says lab services for emergency and hospital inpatients remains the same, but lab hours for outpatients has been cut back from 8 am to 1:30 pm from 3:30 pm.

Point-of-Care testing at the Thompson Clinic allows some testing to take place by clinical assistants, nurses and physicians at the clinic.   It is expected that this testing will reduce lab traffic by about 30 per cent and reduce pressure on both outpatient services and the hospital lab while allowing for more timely care for clinic patients.

Shared Health says they have posted three vacant positions and will continue recruiting until all the vacancies are filled.

Learn more about the shortage of lab techs at the hospital.  Catch Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.