Front, from left Kevin Ward, Tina Hatch, Kaneta Cameron, Renee Barto and Amy Batten. Second row, Cathy Smith, Mark Brouillette, Bob Wolleben, Jennifer Haynes and Dan O’Keefe.

MASSENA -- Massena Memorial Hospital Laboratory has again earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval “by demonstrating compliance with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization’s national standards for health care quality and safety,” according to MMH’s public relations office.

The award of accreditation is for two years.

“I congratulate the entire lab staff for an excellent survey and for their continued dedication in providing the best lab services in the North Country,” said Robert G. Wolleben, MMH CEO. “We sought accreditation for our organization because we want to demonstrate our commitment to patient safety and quality care. We view obtaining Joint Commission Accreditation as another step toward achieving excellence.”

MMH officials said the two-day survey was “unannounced” and “extremely thorough.”

The surveyor reviewed all areas of the lab, including hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, general chemistry, special chemistry, histology, microbiology, blood bank, serology, phlebotomy, specimen collection and handling and quality management, MMH said.

“The whole survey is a quality review of required standards,” lab director Kevin Ward said. “Everyone throughout the entire building is part of the survey. The prime focus may be the laboratory but the lab intertwines with the entire patient stay and all areas of the hospital are involved in the patient’s care.

“The surveyor takes a tracer approach by tracking a specimen from the time of collection through the processing, handling and to a final report.”