In the US, The American Society for Clinical Pathology kicked off Medical Laboratory Professionals Week last Sunday, calling attention to the vital contributions to health care by medical laboratory science professionals. The theme of this year's seven-day celebration is Laboratory Professionals Get Results. And get results they do.

Laboratory test results comprise a large part of a patient's medical record. Medical diagnoses and treatment decisions depend on timely and accurate test results. Working behind the scenes, laboratory professionals are a critical component of the health care team. Lab Week recognises the dedication of these men and women and calls public attention to the role of medical laboratory professionals in patient care. The Lab Week celebration is a great time to enhance the image of laboratory medicine and those who practice it.

The vital role that medical laboratory professionals play in providing answers that guide the cures for an almost limitless range of diseases cannot be over emphasised. This year's theme has been chosen to reinforce what people already know about laboratory professionals; they literally "get results". But the "Get Results" theme also refers to the fact that laboratory professionals make a difference as part of the health care team because they are highly trained professionals doing quality work. The intent is to tell everyone about the importance of laboratory medicine in today's complex world of health care.

The laboratory is more - much more - than a place. It's all about people - the hundreds of men and women whose lives are dedicated to providing results and guiding cures.

Unfortunately here in Malta we have no comparable celebration. That is why I would like to pay tribute to our medical laboratory professionals working in our hospitals/clinics providing timely and accurate laboratory results to the other members of the health care team.