Posted by Sudbury Northern Life
The Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Pathology of Sudbury Regional Hospital (HRSRH) was among the first laboratories in the province to participate in the process of lab accreditation.
Lab accreditation is an extensive process involving an on-site review of all laboratory activities, including laboratory management function, work place safety, and quality assurance by provincially appointed external expert peer reviewers. It is conducted by the Ontario Laboratory Accreditation (OLA) section of Quality Management Program - Laboratory Services.
The HRSRH lab was reviewed in the fall of 2008 over the course of four days.
According to Dr. Chris McKibbon, HRSRH chief of staff, the hospital recently received notice that the process was complete, with the HRSRH lab receiving an unencumbered four year accreditation - the highest accreditation possible. The OLA is expected to return for an abbreviated review, focused on issues related to the movement of the lab to its new single site location in 2010.
"This is a significant achievement for a facet of the continuum of care that is too often overlooked," said McKibbon. "Before we can treat illness, it must be accurately diagnosed. The quality of our laboratory services goes directly to the quality of care we are able to provide our patients."
The HRSRH Laboratory Services operates around the clock, 365 days a year.
Dr. McKibbon praised the management and staff of the HRSRH's laboratory services.
"From the pathologists to the management, and the more than 135 charges, technologists, and other staff who provide day-by-day excellence in laboratory and pathology services, from the patient bedside to the lab bench - each and every one is deserving of our congratulations and thanks for their hard work and dedication to the care of our patients."
