GPHC pathology lab gets ‘long-awaited’ ISO 15189 accreditation

The long wait for pathology results is no more as the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation made a milestone achievement by becoming ISO 15189 plus accredited.

On Wednesday, during a ceremony at the Dr. Yesu Persaud building, the hospital was presented with the certificate, following a robust programme with Accreditation Canada Diagnostics. The ISO 15189 accreditation certificate is considered the ‘gold standard’ of the medical certificates and makes possible the improved turnaround time for test results from months to just six days.

GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer, Robbie Rambarran said this process was a “long-awaited” accomplishment that represents their quality, technical competence and commitment to laboratory medicine.

“Pathology was a top priority because I do understand the significance of the work they were doing while many were associating the pathology lab with the dead.

“In healthcare every test result carries immense responsibility, a family depending on us for timely and precise information, ISO accreditation ensures them that our processes meet international recommended standards,” Rambarran said.

The pathology laboratory has improved from a dilapidated facility to becoming Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) ISO 170 2022 certified.

To become the first public health care facility in Guyana accredited with this, the laboratory underwent several upgrades and audits to ensure it meets the requirements. The medical laboratory and medical imaging are expected to also become accredited in 2026.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said this achievement complements the government’s vision of building out a world-class healthcare system. Importantly, the minister emphasised the tremendous work that is now possible as the time for test results will be shortened.

“Think about a cancer patient for example, that you take the biopsy and then you have to wait atleast three months to get the results. Imagine how much that patient would worry.

“We have changed that because now we are able to give back those results in a very timely manner,” the Health Minister said.

He added that the laboratory will now be able to conduct several tests that it was not able to prior to this. Samples of tumors will be able to get checked at the hospital rather than being sent elsewhere. The minister said the confidence this accreditation provides will assist with achieving benchmarks not just locally but within the Caribbean region as well.