Woodlands Pathology Lab earns international accreditation

The Woodlands Limited Pathology Laboratory, established in 2016, has earned ISO 15189 Plus accreditation from Accreditation Canada as of March 4, 2022.

Adding to its status as the only GYS 170 certified pathology lab in the country, all diagnostic pathology reports issued by Woodlands will be recognised and accepted internationally.

In addition, the lab has been found to be in compliance with international standards as it relates to its quality and safety management systems (ISO 15189 and ISO 15190).

On Wednesday, during a simple ceremony at the Woodlands Hospital, the ISO certificate was presented by Julie Coffey, Director of Diagnostic Accreditation and Education, Accreditation Canada.

Coffey shared that “the laboratory team from Woodlands Limited Pathology Department, have put in time and effort to ensure that their laboratory program is built on quality. In pursuing and acquiring IS015189 plus and IS015190 accreditation from Accreditation Canada Diagnostics, the facility sends a clear signal of commitment to their community for timely, accurate and consistent reports while they maintain health and safety for all staff.”

Other Officials who attended the ceremony and gave brief remarks were Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony; Ramrattie Karan, Executive Director, Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and Dr. Neville Gobin, Managing Director Woodlands Limited.

Laboratory Manager, Maricea Comacho-Chandrabose, in her opening remarks stated: “that there is no other medical or pathology laboratory in Guyana to have been accredited to both ISO 15189 and ISO 15190 standards, making this a first for our country.”

Accreditation Canada and Health Standards Organization (HSO) are independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organizations that meet extensive third-party accreditation requirements from the Standards Council of Canada, the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) and the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC).