Pulmonary Function Lab recognized for exemplary accreditation effort

When the Diagnostic Accreditation Program visited the Richmond Hospital Pulmonary Function lab on April 12, the team was ready.

“It was really, really successful,” said Taryn Millway, the Richmond RT practice leader who worked with the team and lab, preparing them for accreditation. “The accreditors were really impressed. It was the same two surveyors who had come to Richmond four years ago and they said it was very apparent how many improvements were made in the lab.”

In fact, not only was the team ready, but they were also given feedback that the Richmond Hospital lab was leading the province with the level of service it provides to both patients and referring physicians.

Advancing with the times

The approach to accreditation 2016 has changed to include more rigorous guidelines.

“It is much more formal and involved,” said Elan Nattrass, the professional practice leader of Richmond respiratory services, speaking to the accreditation lead up. “All different levels of people in the organization were involved – physicians, front-line staff and managers. It focused much more on quality improvement and providing test results to referring physicians and, therefore, patients in a faster manner.”

There’s no “I” in team

Millway credited success to the hardworking Pulmonary Function lab team, from the director level through to the front line staff.

“We had clinicians formalizing existing policies and procedures,” Millway said. “We had weekly meetings with the manager and director and physicians. Everybody was a part of it…We got our accreditation certificate in the mail last week.”

Team kudos was echoed by Natrass.

“I’m so proud of the whole team,” she said. “Many thanks to everyone involved. They all do great work every day and accreditation is an opportunity to showcase that.”