Empire Medical Centre Laboratory advances quality care through GNBS Certification

Empire Medical Centre Laboratory is now the first laboratory in Linden to achieve certification by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) under the Laboratory Certification programme. With this certification, the Lab now boasts conformance to the National Standard: GYS 170:2021 – General Requirements for the Operation of a Laboratory. Importantly, this achievement marks a major step towards improving quality and reliability in diagnostic services in Region Ten.

The newly certified lab offers a wide range of laboratory testing in areas of obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, internal medicine, cardiology, and orthopaedics, among others.

Dr Allan Outridge, Chief Executive Officer and Medical Officer of the Laboratory, described the GNBS certification as a meaningful accomplishment for the facility. He noted that it represents not only compliance with the GYS 170 standard but a strengthened commitment to excellence in laboratory operations and the delivery of reliable diagnostic services.

The Empire Medical Centre opened its doors on June 7, 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, to provide care for both COVID-19 patients and the wider community.

“When COVID came, it literally opened many doors for us…We wanted to help as much as we could, as it was a crisis. So, we opened our doors to not only offer outpatient and cardiovascular services, but also to house COVID patients. Because of that, it has allowed us to become who we are today…” Dr Outridge explained.

He pointed out that the decision to pursue certification was driven by a desire to align with recognised standards while improving operational efficiency, accuracy and overall service quality.

The CEO added, “When you are dealing with a vast clientele, including patients from the United States of America, Canada and the Caribbean, whose companies demand certain tests that must be done a certain way against international standards, certification becomes necessary…So, when the results are issued, there will be no questions.”

While the certification process presented several challenges, including the need for procedural adjustments and capacity building, Dr Outridge highlighted the positive experience of working with GNBS throughout the certification journey. He noted that the GNBS team provided all the necessary guidance through technical assistance and training to ensure the requirements were successfully met.

“It [certification process] was extremely difficult and lengthy, but the GNBS was there to guide us…The collective efforts are what brought us to this point today. The GNBS was not just there to inspect. They were there to educate, guide and support us. The experience is what I’ll cherish for a lifetime…” the CEO highlighted.

Since implementing the GYS 170 Standard this year, the CEO underscored the notable improvements in the laboratory’s standard operating procedures, stronger quality control systems, improved workflow efficiency, enhanced record-keeping and more robust internal monitoring mechanisms.

For patients and healthcare providers in Region Ten, this achievement translates into greater trust in laboratory results, improved service reliability and enhanced healthcare outcomes. Looking ahead, the laboratory will be exploring opportunities to expand its services and pursue additional certifications to further improve its standards.

Finally, the Lab CEO advocated that other laboratories should pursue GNBS certification, emphasising that adopting recognised standards is essential for ensuring quality, safety and consistency in healthcare services. Such efforts not only strengthen health institutions but also contribute to the overall development of the national healthcare system.

Application forms can be found via the GNBS website: https://gnbsgy.com/forms-all/

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