The inside of the community laboratory on Carry Drive is shown in the 2017 file photo. As of Feb. 28, 2023, all lab testing from the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital will move to the facility on Carry Drive.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
The Medicine Hat Regional Hospital will no longer conduct community laboratory testing as of Feb. 28, 2023, with services shifting to the city’s community lab located at 44 Carry Drive, Alberta Health Services announced Wednesday.
The move is part of a province-wide transition of community lab services from AHS subsidiary Alberta Precision Laboratories to contracted private enterprise DynaLIFE Medical Laboratories.
“Contracting routine community lab work to DynaLIFE will enhance service for Albertans and generate cost savings that can be used to support other priorities and services across the health-care system,” Health Minister Jason Copping said when the transition was first announced in January.
At the time the transition was announced, AHS reported community lab testing comprises approximately 65 per cent of all laboratory services in Alberta – which translates to approximately 50 million community lab tests each year.
The province and AHS say transitioning community lab services will help hospital laboratories prioritize the needs of hospital patients, including inpatients, emergency and ambulatory patients.
Earlier this year, staff shortages at MHRH’s lab challenged its capacity to process tests for hospital patients and community members alike. In an effort to protect the urgent-nature of patient tests, several forms of community tests were sent to Calgary for processing.
Such challenges would have had no impact on the already-confirmed transition of lab services, but does highlight an issue impacting health-care services in Alberta.
Community members may continue to book lab testing appointments at MHRH prior to Feb. 28, 2023, but appointments scheduled after that date must be booked for the community lab.
Community lab bookings can be made online at albertaprecisionlabs.ca or by calling 1-877-868-6848.
