CHESTER – The Memorial Hospital Laboratory has re-located to a newly renovated location. Staff welcomed the move, which increased their area by 300 square feet.
The new location is just a few feet up the hall from their old location. The new laboratory has updated plumbing and electrical, better temperature regulation, and larger walkways. The outpatient testing and waiting room remain in the same spot currently, as they await their move to the main level during the next stage of renovations.
From left: Gretchen Kocian, Brandon Misselhorn, Amelia Shemonic, Lennet Gibbs, and Nichole Clifton.
The extra space improves employee workflows and provides room for staff to move about more freely during their testing. With various equipment and machines for microbiology, urinalysis, hematology and chemistry, several work stations are needed for the many types of tests performed at Memorial. The move consisted of coordination from the maintenance department, IT, and specialized lab equipment providers to ensure everything was moved properly, timely, and efficiently. With all teams working together, they completed the move in a few short phases.
Like many departments in the hospital, equipment and the tools used to provide up-to-date quality care are consistently improving. This year, the lab added testing modules to their Cepheid GeneXpert machine to allow for more COVID, Flu, RSV and Strep testing.
Back row, from left: Garrett Zoellner, Michael Whitt – Lab Director, Sarah Dickerson, Cambrea Doeding, Jason Springs; front row, from left: Christina Poppen, Nicole Doty, Declan
“Our lab team works together to provide the best lab results for our patients so they can get better and lead healthier lives,” says Mike Whitt, Laboratory Director. New technology and tools help ensure every lab tech is able to perform their testing with the most accurate results possible.
The newly renovated laboratory is just one of the many progressive remodels happening at Memorial as the facility works to improve patient access to services, employee work flows, safety, and quality. The Memorial Hospital mission is a commitment to professional excellence in providing safe, quality healthcare, compassion and service to patients, the community and each other.
This mission has remained the focus during the extensive changes and improvements throughout the multi-phase remodel. Memorial strives to deliver the best care possible as a partner in our community and continues to grow to meet the patients’ future needs.