Health Care Team

(Susan's note:  Who is this directed at:  Patients? or Health Professionals?)

We are committed to provide the best diagnostic microbiology and infection control service to pediatric and obstetric patients in the province of British Columbia.

We understand that easy access to the laboratory and microbiologists is key to ac​curate and rapid diagnosis. 

We offer immediate answers to your questions about specimen collection, transport and preferred tests in your specific case. We aim to provide test results as fast as possible and many of our tests provide a same-day result.

We report results by the hospital computer system as well as telephone and fax. We provide personal reporting and interpretation if requested and follow-up discussions regarding your patient if you wish.​

​Laboratory service

Medical Microbiologists with advanced medical and scientific training are in daily contact with clinicians to advise on specimen collection, results interpretation and infection control. One medical microbiologist is available 24 hours/day, seven days/week.

Infection control

A pediatric infectious disease consultant participates in the Infection control service and infection control consultations that are available 24 hours/day, seven days/week.

Between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, a team of infection control specialist nurses are available for consultation, advice, daily surveillance, outbreak investigation and education.

(Susan's note:  Is this info (above and below) intended for health professionals?)

Microbiology and virology laboratories

The laboratories are located on the second floor of Children's and provide a full range of microbiology and virology services. Some specific tests developed and validated in the laboratory include: 

  • Molecular detection and quantification of herpesviruses (HSV-1, HSV-2, CMV, VZV, HHV-6 and EBV)
  • Molecular detection of other clinically relevant pediatric/maternal viruses including enteroviruses, adenoviruses and parvoviruses
  • Molecular detection of bordetella pertussis (whooping cough)
  • State of the art detection and serogrouping of Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
  • We have long-standing site-specific expertise in the validation of rapid detection of respiratory viruses (respiratory syncytial viruses, parainfluenza viruses 1,2,3, influenza A/B and adenovirus and currently offer rapid immunofluorescence assay for these viruses (same day results) through the VIRAP program.
  • Rapid immunofluorescence assay for the detection of HSV and VZV
  • Rapid detection of diarrhoeal viruses (rotavirus and adenovirus 40/41)
  • We also offer a full range of microbiology services
  • Infection control coordinator office with access to a infection control software program the surveillance of nosocomial infections and tracking of positive cultures in different areas of the hospital

Certification, accreditation and quality assurance

  • Certified through DAP (Diagnostic Accreditation Program, BC, Canada)
  • We participate in CMPT (Clinical Microbiology Proficiency Testing Program, BC, Canada)
  • CAP (College of American Pathologists) controls
  • Daily monitoring by microbiologists of samples of ordered tests
  • Daily validation of laboratory results by laboratory supervisor and sample validation by medical microbiologist

Director



Eva Thomas MD, PhD, FRCP(C)
Clinical Professor UBC
MD University of Uppsala
PhD. & Clinical Virology Specialist (University of Gothenburg)
FRCP(C) in Medical Microbiology, UBC

Tel: 604-875-2622
Fax: 604-875-3777
Email: ethomas@cw.bc.ca

Medical Microbiologist



Rusung Tan, MD, PhD, FRCP(C) 
Associate Professor UBC
M.D. University of British Columbia
PhD. Oxford University, U.K.
FRCP(C) in Medical Microbiology, UBC

Phone: 604-875-3605 / fax: 604-875-3777
Email: roo@interchange.ubc.ca

Medical Microbiologist



Edith Blondel-Hill, MD, FRCP(C)
M.D. University of Alberta
FRCP(C) in Internal Medicine, Univ. of Alberta
FRCP(C) in Medical Microbiology, Univ. of Alberta

Tel: 604-875-2345 local: 7649
Fax: 604-875-3777
Email: ebhill@cw.bc.ca

Associate Infection Control Officer



Simon Dobson, MB.BS., MD, FRCP( C)
Clinical Associate Professor, UBC
MB.BS. University of Newcastle
MD University of Newcastle

Phone: 604-875-3049 / fax: 604-875-2635
Email: sdobson@cw.bc.ca

Infection Control Coordinator



Bonnie Anderson RN, BTSN,CIC
Tel: 604-875-2345 ext. 7462 / fax: 604-875-3777
Email: banderson@cw.bc.ca

Laboratory Supervisor



Laura Book, A.R.T. 
Tel: 604-875-2345 ext. 7484 / fax: 604-875-3777
Email: lbook@cw.bc.ca