The following is a release from EvergreenHealth hospital:
EvergreenHealth and Bloodworks Northwest recently opened an onsite transfusion lab on the EvergreenHealth campus in Kirkland, enhancing efficiency in bloodwork services and testing for patients on the Eastside. The joint initiative expands existing services provided by Seattle-based Bloodworks to EvergreenHealth patients, and further eliminates the barriers of time and proximity for critical transfusion services.
The new EvergreenHealth Transfusion Service lab operated by Bloodworks represents a natural progression in the ongoing partnership of the two organizations, who have partnered since 1972 to provide EvergreenHealth patients with lifesaving blood components. The new onsite lab will bring even greater ease and efficiency to the teams’ work.
“This is just the latest chapter in a long history of collaboration with EvergreenHealth that benefits patients and the community,” said Dr. James P. AuBuchon, president and CEO of Bloodworks. “Patients and physicians can now experience streamlined service and quicker turn-around time, while we achieve the maximum benefit from our transfusion expertise and lifesaving blood components that we collect from volunteer donors across our community.”
EvergreenHealth patients and providers have long depended on Bloodworks’ timely service, resources and medical expertise. The onsite EvergreenHealth lab will centralize those services, providing patients with the fastest turnaround time possible for blood components and emergency transfusion services.
“Our collaboration with Bloodworks complements our commitment to absolute safety, high quality care and a superior patient experience,” said Bob Malte, CEO of EvergreenHealth. “The new onsite lab is another example of how EvergreenHealth continues to enhance our services to be our community’s most trusted resource for health care solutions. We are pleased to be able to partner with Bloodworks to offer the best service possible to our patients.”
Bloodworks fully operates the new lab at EvergreenHealth with its transfusion service staff, equipment, information technology systems and provides both regulatory and medical oversight. The Transfusion Service lab will operate 24/7 to test and match patient blood samples with onsite blood components, and EvergreenHealth caregivers will continue to have access to medical consultation with clinical transfusion with Bloodworks experts.
According to Bloodworks, blood transfusions are the most frequently performed medical procedure that people have during hospital stays. About five million Americans receive transfusions every year.
Bloodworks’ specialty diagnostics lab in Seattle will continue to serve those with rare or complex blood types.
“This latest development in our partnership extends our ability to provide transfusion and blood services,” Malte and AuBuchon said in a joint statement. “It reflects our shared commitment to the best patient safety and care possible.”
