THE St. Joseph Mercy Hospital has, once again, been awarded for fulfilling the general requirements for certification under the National Quality Standard for Laboratories.
The medical institution was certified by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and the certificate was presented at the hospital laboratory, in Parade Street, Kingston, Georgetown, to its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms. Helen Browman, by GNBS Head, Ms. Evadnie Ennis, last Monday afternoon. Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle after receiving the document, Browman expressed her satisfaction with the hard-working staff of the laboratory who were instrumental in ensuring that the standards and quality are acceptable.
For the award, the staff members were required to conduct internal audits, review manuals and make sure they keep up to date with guidelines as well as ensuring constant evaluation, she said.
She also pointed out that it was necessary for them to, at all times, follow all its regulations, as the GNBS would make unannounced visits to assure compliance.
Browman said there are also regular meetings between the hospital management and the laboratory staffers.
She noted that the certification should serve as a reminder, to the public, that the hospital continues to maintain the requisite standard to give quality health care and that it is equipped with the needed personnel and equipment to guarantee that the results issued by the facility can be depended upon.
IMPORTANT PART
Browman explained that, what plays an important part in determining the patients’ satisfaction that the health care provided them is of good quality, is feedback from the doctors and the patients themselves.
This is not the first time that the hospital has been the recipient of the certificate. The previous one was for a two-year period.
Meanwhile, Ennis said certifying the laboratory means that any results emanating from the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital are accurate, reliable and consistent.
She confirmed that the hospital worked with a guide which stipulated the procedures to be followed and implemented.
It sets out various procedures, tests and systems that must be put in place and adhered to as critical steps in the process of ensuring safe and competent standards.
Ennis said the award is in keeping with the GYS170 Code, with which the hospital is in compliance.
She said the latest certificate has a one-year life and can be renewed by the holder making application. For that, there is a recertification department, which conducts audits to determine if the applicant is still complying with the requirements.
Surveillances, in that regard, are also conducted.
Ennis said the certification of a facility lies with it and its staff, as it has to do with how long they take to put their houses in order.