|
The PHO public health laboratories are one of North America’s largest laboratory systems, with over 600 employees in 12 locations across the province. The labs perform millions of tests annually, including clinical tests for the diagnosis of infectious and communicable diseases such as Legionnaire’s, SARS, influenza and West Nile virus. We also conduct all clinical testing for HIV and syphilis in Ontario and operate one of the largest tuberculosis laboratories in North America. With locations in Windsor, London, Hamilton, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Orillia, Peterborough, Ottawa, Toronto and Kingston, the network of PHO laboratories is an essential part of Ontario’s public health system.
| Laboratory services provided by PHO include: |
- Clinical and environmental testing services for infectious diseases, particularly where expertise and/or enhanced biohazardous containment is required
- Expert infectious disease advice on clinical microbiology and related public health issues through consultative, educational and advisory services
- Research in support of public health in collaboration with provincial, national and international organizations and academic institutions.
We are continuing the modernization and renewal work initiated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term care prior to transferring the labs to PHO in December 2008. The Lab Renewal Project will refine and modernize test menus, improve test turnaround times, continue to meet evolving public health needs, and add value through the clinical and epidemiological interpretation of test results.
|
