April 15, 2020
MEDICINE HAT – Effective Wednesday, April 15, 2020, the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital Outpatient Laboratory will be closed to the public. All patients requiring blood work in the Medicine Hat area are instead advised to please attend the Medicine Hat Collection Site on Carry Drive. This site remains open with adjusted hours, as follows:
Medicine Hat Collection Site, 44 Carry Drive SE
| Patients who are immunocompromised (by physician-referred appointment only) | 0700 – 0800 Monday to Friday |
| All patients | 0800 – 1600 Monday to Friday 0815 – 1600 Saturday |
| Patients who are self-isolating and are both mobile and asymptomatic (by physician referred appointment only) | 1600 - 1700 Monday to Friday |
The safety of vulnerable patient populations and staff within our hospitals is a priority as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve in Alberta.
We must ensure our acute care facilities are focused on treating patients with the most urgent need, and that we are doing everything we can to keep vulnerable patient populations and staff in our hospitals and collection sites safe. By limiting outpatient lab collections within hospitals, we limit traffic in and out of the hospitals and enhance physical distancing. Diverting non-urgent lab work to Patient Service Centres in the community reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission and allows us to make the best use of our laboratory resources.
As noted on the above schedule, patients who have pre-existing medical conditions – such as cancer patients, transplant patients, renal patients, and other immunocompromised patients – can still access essential lab services in a protected environment. Patients who are self-isolating due to potential exposure to COVID-19 (based on instruction from medical professionals) will also be offered special collection hours by physician referred-appointment. Please contact your physician to determine if you require an appointment.
Note that patients who continue to attend any other clinics at the hospital will have their urgent laboratory blood work collected by the onsite lab team as needed.
Individuals in the Medicine Hat-area who have questions lab services that cannot be answered by their physician can instead Alberta Precision Labs at 403-529-8932
For media inquiries, contact:
Sherri Gallant
AHS Communications
587-220-1805
