SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― April 22 through 28 is Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, and Regional West recognizes and honors its highly trained Laboratory Services staff that plays a vital role in every aspect of health care.

Medical Laboratory Professionals Week is an annual celebration of medical laboratory professionals and pathologists who play a vital role in health care and patient advocacy. This year’s national theme for Laboratory Professionals Week 2018 is “Star Lab.”  

April Madden, MHA MT (ASCP), Regional West director of Laboratory Services, said there are many “stars” within the lab at Regional West.

“We are so fortunate to have the laboratory program we do here at Regional West. Lab Week is a time to recognize the important work our staff does every day to help detect, diagnose, and monitor serious diseases,” said Madden. “The entire staff is dedicated and awesome to work with every single day.”

Regional West Laboratory Services staff includes board-certified, fellowship-trained pathologists, as well as specialized technologists and other laboratory professionals. Services include testing of blood and other body fluids, cells, tissue, and organs to help diagnose, treat, and prevent disease.

A team of eight couriers travel throughout the region and to airports daily to pick up and deliver specimens for testing. Contracted courier systems also deliver specimens from Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and western Wyoming via air and ground transportation. Clients include hospitals, physician clinics, home health agencies, nursing homes, law enforcement agencies and veterinarians.

Regional West Laboratory Services is accredited by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP). This rigorous inspection program is designed to ensure the highest standard of care for laboratory patients.

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center and one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 providers, and over 2,000 employees, Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.