How do you look at something too small to see with the naked eye? In the lab at Sault Area Hospital, teams use a microscope.
Not every tool used in medicine is high-tech: microscopes have been used for hundreds of years to look at the fine details of tiny objects. While instruments in the lab can flag a sample for a closer look, a microscope is often needed to get a final result.
The microscopes at Sault Area Hospital are used to study blood, test urine, and get a closer look at viruses and bacteria. This tool helps the team check for infections, cancer cells, and blood parasites like malaria. The information learned using a microscope helps to make diagnoses and guide treatment.
There are several microscopes in the laboratory that will soon need to be replaced. While the goal is to repair equipment when possible, replacement parts are hard to find – and some microscopes are now 13 years old.
New microscopes have a bright light for clear images, and are easier to use for long hours. A clear view helps the team in the lab find abnormal cells faster, which could mean faster test results for patients.
Each microscope will cost around $15,000. With your continued support, we can bring these tools – and so many more – to the lab at Sault Area Hospital.
Community support helps our team provide outstanding care!
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