THE SPANISH Town Hospital Laboratory has received approval for a grant of $62.5 million to upgrade the laboratory services at the institution.
The money will be used to purchase equipment, lease three modern analysers for chemistry, haemaotology and microbiology tests, install a Laboratory Information System, and improve the physical facilities of the laboratory, including a redesign of the work area to improve workflow and a new air-conditioning system.
On completion the laboratory will be able to provide significant increases in the volume and types of tests and improve reliability and accuracy of tests. This will enable the hospital to meet the increasing demand of a growing patient volumes, as well as assist in reducing the length of stay for patients requiring tests which are now being done externally.
The Laboratory Information System to be installed will facilitate computer networking of the laboratory with other areas in the hospital, making laboratory results accessible at the point of service delivery throughout the hospital.
Chief executive officer of the Spanish Town Hospital, Pauline Reid, said an effectively functioning medical laboratory service is a critical support service in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. She says the medical staff, as well as medical technologists at the hospital, are looking forward to the implementation of the project, in order to provide improved services to clients.
