January 29 was a great day at the East Kootenay Regional Lab.

Thanks to “amazing donors” in the region, East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH) reports that $300,000 has been raised, providing the funds needed to purchase the MALDI TOF for the lab.

“This important piece of equipment will have a tremendous impact on health care throughout the East Kootenay. The MALDI TOF is used to rapidly identify organisms in blood cultures. This rapid turnaround time (10 minutes – 24 hours) has an overall 95% accuracy in identifying bacteria, enabling faster, correct treatment for patients,” EKFH reported on social media.

As a result, East Kootenay Regional Hospital will be fully independent for bacterial testing, no longer having to send specimens away to Kelowna or Vancouver and wait days and even weeks for results.

“Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive in this project. Together with our donors, we are saving lives!” EKFH stated.

Above photo: Dr. Launny Lowden, a pathologist at the East Kootenay Regional Lab, is looking forward to the arrival of the MALDI TOF. EKFH photo

e-KNOW

Article Share