Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/126200
Excellent Lab Results Upgrades to equipment and major changes in floor plan yield positive results for Peace Arch Hospital's laboratory. By Joseph Dubé I n any hospital, the laboratory provides one of the first lines of critical service, and the lab at Peace Arch Hospital is no exception. From the OR to the ER, the physicians at Peace Arch depend on fast, accurate laboratory analysis to establish diagnosis and deliver optimal patient care. Now, thanks to a $33,000 contribution from Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation, Peace Arch Hospital's laboratory has undergone a much-needed renovation – one that has helped ensure the lab's standard of excellence will continue well into the future. Dr. Stephen Coret (here) says the lab redesign has improved workflows and made space for critical refrigeration equipment (above). Meeting a need "Peace Arch is an extremely busy hospital; we're always full," observes Dr. Stephen Coret, head of laboratory services at Peace Arch Hospital. "Since I came here 12 years ago, the lab has been increasingly short of space, and has only gotten busier and more crowded – sometimes shoulder to shoulder in some areas." In light of increasing demand, it was clear to Coret that in order for his team to continue to deliver optimal service to patients it was essential that the lab undergo an upgrade. Thankfully, an opportunity to improve the lab opened when the microbiology component of the lab was relocated to a different facility, opening up a large area for potential reorganization. Coret approached the Foundation for help and ultimately received $33,000 in vital funding to repurpose the newly available space. Opening doors The renovation of Peace Arch Hospital's laboratory began with the creation of a larger entrance to the lab, allowing oversized equipment – like four refrigeration units, formerly housed in the basement – to become accessible within the laboratory itself. The newly expanded entrance also made it possible for the hospital to accept the gift of a general chemistry analyzer from Riverview Hospital, which would not have fit through a standard-sized doorway. Photographs: Paul Joseph p12-13 Resp Thrpy-Lab Reno.indd 13 In addition to equipment upgrades, the renovation entailed a complete reconfiguration of existing lab resources, which has enhanced the overall efficiency of staff, who operate the facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "We were able to reorganize the laboratory in a core-lab concept, so that all the instruments we use on a regular basis to do routine chemistries, hematologies and STAT types of things are now in the centre of the lab," says Coret. Less urgent tests have been moved towards the periphery. "Now that we've got the main work localized centrally rather than spread out all over, it makes the techs more efficient, particularly on evenings, nights and weekends, when staffing is lower. These changes will facilitate quicker turnaround time on results, especially during those times when we have multiple critically ill patients, all requiring urgent lab work." Another benefit of the redesign is that it has allowed for the segregation of highly sensitive workstations, like the blood bank, where a distraction-free environment is paramount. "Blood bank is one of those critically important areas where you need to be able to concentrate on what you're doing," explains Coret. "In the past, blood bank was sandwiched in between accessioning and hematology, both of which can be very busy. It was not the ideal set-up. "Now, because of the extra space, everything has been moved away and it's quieter. You can concentrate much better in that area, so it's a big plus." Donor support Coret is quick to point out that all of these substantial improvements would not have been possible without the funding the lab received from the many generous donors to the Foundation. "We are eternally grateful to the Foundation, not only for what they've done to help out with this reorganization of the lab, but also what they've done to help over the years," says Coret. "Virtually all our new instrumentation has come from the Foundation," adds Coret. "They've been very generous, and it's really phenomenal what they've done for us." ■ s pring /summer 2013 health + care 13 13-04-12 2:10 PM