November 29, 2022
LETHBRIDGE – The Chinook Regional Hospital laboratory will shift focus to the needs of emergency, inpatient and ambulatory patients, and will direct community patients to two new community labs, starting Feb. 27, 2023.
This change is one step towards the larger transition of community lab services from Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL) to DynaLIFE Medical Laboratories.
On Feb. 27, DynaLIFE will open two new community labs in Lethbridge, 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.
As part of this transition, the in-hospital lab at Chinook Regional Hospital will no longer serve community patients starting Feb. 27, 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.
As clients are currently able to book appointments 90 days in advance, those scheduling an appointment on Nov. 30 or later (for appointments after Feb. 27) will no longer see appointments available at Chinook Regional Hospital, Bigelow Fowler Clinic West and Family Medical Centre.
Clients will be able to begin booking at the new Lethbridge lab locations, for appointments after Feb. 27, beginning on Dec. 6. They can book online or by calling 1-877-702-4486.
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. 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.
Alberta Precision Laboratories is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alberta Health Services, delivering high-quality, responsive diagnostic lab services to Albertans across our healthcare system.
DynaLIFE is a leading Alberta-based medical laboratory offering a complete range of diagnostic testing services. DynaLIFE’s 1,400 employees are proud to be seen as industry leaders – bringing reliable, innovative services to more than 2,000 physicians and two million patient visits a year. DynaLIFE has been operating clinical laboratory facilities in Alberta for more than 60 years.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
