What began as a commitment to reduce low-value lab testing is now growing into something much more transformative. At Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH), the Laboratory Medicine Program is setting its sights on hospital-wide quality improvement—and setting an example for others to follow.
Earlier this year, CMH took to the stage at the Choosing Wisely Canada National Meeting, sharing the spotlight with some of the largest hospitals in the province. Dr. Jacqueline Bourgeois, Chief of Laboratory Medicine and Hayley Hamilton, Manager of Laboratory Medicine presented a compelling case study on reducing Red Blood Cell (RBC) folate testing—a test considered obsolete since the 1990s. Their presentation was not just about eliminating unnecessary procedures; it was a story of how evidence-based practice drives better care, greater efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
“It’s more than saving healthcare dollars,” said Hamilton. “It’s about enhancing quality of care through evidence-based decision-making.”
The results speak for themselves. With fewer outdated tests to process, turnaround times have improved, staff have more capacity for skill development, and the department’s environmental footprint has shrunk—thanks to reduced use of single-use plastics and reagents.
“When we reduce unnecessary testing,” added Dr. Bourgeois, “we make space for what matters—timely results, responsive care, and innovation.”
That innovation is grounded in the real-world needs of the CMH community. Dr. Bourgeois has been working to understand those needs more deeply—applying Choosing Wisely Canada’s more than 550 evidence-informed recommendations to tailor CMH’s approach to test reduction and care optimization.
Perhaps just as important, CMH is becoming a model for others. By mentoring peer organizations, sharing learning, and acting as a liaison to community sites, CMH is helping raise the bar across the system.
“We’re a small hospital with limited resources,” said Hamilton, “but presenting our work on a national stage—it was inspiring."
Dr. Bourgeois echoed the sentiment: “We may not be the biggest, but our close-knit, community-driven culture is our strength. We can act quickly, collaborate deeply, and show what’s possible with focus and determination.”
This work is part of a broader shift at CMH—one that emphasizes high-value care, physician–administrator collaboration, and sustainable systems that meet both clinical and operational goals. It’s a sign of what’s ahead, as CMH continues to drive change from the inside out.