POTSDAM -- A surprise inspection by the state Department of Health of Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s laboratory found no significant deficiencies in its preliminary report to the hospital.

The inspection was conducted over three and one-half days beginning Sept. 21, most days with eight hours of inspection time. The inspection involved review of medical waste disposal practices, record-keeping in medical charts, observation of blood transfusions, examination of laboratory equipment maintenance logs, and examination of laboratory results.

The Health Department employs specially trained and qualified health clinical laboratory consultants as inspectors, and these professionals conduct extensive reviews of records and interviews with staff, not only in the laboratory, but also in other departments, such as nursing and environmental services, whose work the laboratory influences and with whom the laboratory staff interact on a daily basis to provide patient care.

“Laboratory results that are both accurate and fast are necessary for the best patient care,” said Carlos H. Alberto, III, Administrative Laboratory Director and Director of Physician Recruitment at Canton-Potsdam Hospital.

“Our laboratory technicians and technologists are highly trained and certified, and they work as a team with other professionals in the Hospital to support care. Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other clinical staff rely on us to deliver the highest quality to their patients, and I’m pleased to see that the Department of Health has recognized this quality,” he added.

The Health Department will make a final report in four to six weeks; changes to the preliminary findings are not expected.

The inspector noted that some minor improvements required as a result of a 2008 inspection had been completed and maintained to date.

These inspections are conducted unannounced every two years at hospital and other laboratories throughout New York State