A recently completed survey by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reveals no deficiencies for the blood bank at Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie. The FDA regulates and licenses all blood banks.

State-of-the-art equipment, modern facilities and a laboratory computer system with remote report generating capabilities make the IMH Laboratory one of the most progressive laboratories in the region.

“The IMH blood bank successfully completed an unannounced inspection by the FDA on March 12th and 13th.  The FDA has jurisdiction over the processing, storage and administration of all blood products used at hospitals.” according to James Martinchick, M.D., the IMH laboratory Medical Director.

Martinchick notes that the FDA prefers to do unannounced visits in order to show how procedures are followed on a daily basis.

“The FDA inspector was extremely thorough in reviewing all of the blood bank policies, procedures, and record keeping regarding blood transfusions here at IMH.  The FDA inspector found no reportable deficiencies.  He stated IMH has a good blood bank,” said Martinchick.

Martinchick says the well-trained staff combined with great equipment helped in achieving the honor of zero deficiencies.

“I am extremely proud of all the highly skilled and dedicated IMH lab staff who help IMH achieve the highest quality standards possible in the blood bank and in all areas of the laboratory.  This latest FDA inspection supports the recent report rendered by the Joint Commission inspector who stated that the IMH lab is the ‘Rock Star of the lab world’ ” said Martinchick.

Joint Commission accreditation gives IMH recognition and credibility for meeting the national standards set forth by health care experts. This assures clients and their families that they are receiving the highest quality care available. The Joint found no deficiencies the last five years of surveys.

The Lab is directed by two pathologists who are certified by the American Board of Pathology and staffed by medical technologists who are registered by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. The IMH Laboratory staff is committed to quality service.

The Ivinson Memorial Hospital Lab is a full service department providing services for inpatients and outpatients as well as marketing accounts for physicians, clinics and veterinarians. The laboratory is currently a part of the IMH Outreach Program and provides services to other Wyoming communities.

The IMH Laboratory is fully accredited and performs analysis in urinalysis, bacteriology, immunohematology, hematology, chemistry, immunology, coagulation, cytology and tissue pathology.

To learn more about Ivinson Memorial Hospital, click here.

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