Laboratory services at Chinook Regional Hospital will be changing in February. The hospital lab will focus on the needs of emergency, inpatient and ambulatory patients, while community patients will be directed to two new community labs.
This change is one step towards the larger transition of community lab services from Alberta Precision Laboratories to DynaLIFE Medical Laboratories, according to Alberta Health Services.
On Feb. 28, DynaLIFE will open two new community lab services in the city, located at 1240 2A Ave. N and 405 Highlands Blvd. W.
“These new labs will introduce patient tools and technologies, add patient capacity, and improve access to lab services in the community,” reads a news release from AHS. “As part of this transition, the in-hospital lab at Chinook Regional Hospital will no longer serve community patients starting Feb. 28, ensuring hospital labs are able to focus on the emergency, inpatient and urgent needs of acute and ambulatory hospital patients.”
Lab services currently operated out of Bigelow Fowler Clinic West and Family Medical Centre will also transfer to the new community lab locations when they open.
Clients will be able to begin booking appointments at the new labs after Feb. 28.
“By transitioning community lab services to DynaLIFE, APL will be better able to maintain lab quality and provide a more efficient, effective and sustainable laboratory system that supports Alberta’s growing demand for lab testing,” AHS says. “Hospital laboratories will continue to serve patients who have a requisition generated at a hospital or urgent care site, either through inpatient, emergency or ambulatory clinics.”
