The Woodlands Pathology Laboratory is one of two such facilities available in Guyana. Conceptualised in 2013 by the current Laboratory Manager, Maricea Comacho-Chandrabose, the objective was to provide physicians across Guyana with timely and reliable diagnostic services.
“The reason for the initiative was to provide reports within a shorter timeframe…if you were to speak with any Doctor or patient, they will tell you that they had to wait months before they can have a report; now we can have that available within seven days,” Ms. Comacho-Chandrabose said. She added that the long wait time could end critically for cancer patients and others with progressive illnesses.
Pathology involves the study and diagnosis of diseases through the examination of surgically removed organs, tissues and bodily fluids. It also includes autopsies to determine the cause of death.
A few short years after deciding it will go ahead with the establishment of a Pathology Laboratory, the Woodlands Hospital in 2016 opened the doors of the first such private laboratory. It started offering routine H&E (Hematoxylin and eosin stain) method used to examine human tissue specimens for routine diagnosis, and cytology which includes pap smears and body fluids. These tests have since been expanded to include many others.
Immediately after the doors were opened for business, the laboratory began looking at opportunities to pursue certification causing its management to approach the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) for certification to the requirements of the National Standard GYS 170:2021 Standard, General requirements for the operation of a laboratory.
“The vision that we had for the laboratory was that we wanted to meet an international level and before meeting that international level, we needed to achieve our local requirements…so we needed to take the steps required,” the Laboratory Manager noted.
She commended the GNBS and its professional staff for being patient and working with the facility to achieve its goal of certification. Ms. Comacho-Chandrabose pointed out that laboratory professionals within the pathology laboratory are constantly working to improve and implement the requirements of the National Standard which has aided the Laboratory’s continual recertification biennially. For improvement, the laboratory expanded its scope of testing to include immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology.
Meanwhile, in 2019, the GNBS presented the laboratory with the National Quality Award for Customer Service after an assessment showed that it was leading in addressing customers’ needs.
This year –on March 4, Woodlands Limited Pathology Laboratory attained international accreditation to the ISO Standard 15189:2012 – which specifies requirements for quality and competence in medical laboratories and ISO Standard 15190:2020 which specifies requirements for safe practices in the medical laboratory.
Dr. Vilas Gobin, Director at the Woodlands Hospital noted that Certification and Accreditation send a good signal to the public and the medical fraternity in Guyana. “These accomplishments help people understand that we’re doing something to an internationally accepted Standard. We are also looking to accept samples, not only from Guyana, but also regionally so other facilities will no longer have to send samples overseas for testing,” he noted.
The Director of Woodlands encouraged other laboratories to get certified to the National Standard, as he pointed out that it is important for clients to be confident in the results they are provided with. According to Dr. Gobin, he would encourage other hospitals, labs and medical facilities to seek certification and later accreditation.
To access the GNBS Certification and other services, please get in touch with the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 219-0065, 219-0062.
