Freeman celebrating Lab Week
Hospital laboratory staff responsible for 3.7 million tests yearly
JOPLIN, Mo. – During Lab Week (April 24 – 30), Freeman Health System is recognizing the efforts of lab workers who make a difference in the lives of patients every day.
“Lab week is a wonderful time to praise the hard-working folks who provide answers to providers making treatment decisions,” said Karen Watts, Freeman Director Administrative Laboratory Services. “Mayo Clinical Labs conducted a study and found 60% – 70% of all decisions regarding a patient’s diagnosis, treatment, hospital admission and discharge are based on laboratory test results.”
Freeman’s laboratory services have grown with the addition of a Pittsburg oncology lab to existing labs at Freeman West, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute.
Freeman has also increased its draw stations in the Bentlage Building, Freeman Women’s Center, Freeman East and Freeman West, as well as in the cities of Frontenac and Pittsburg, where a second draw station is coming soon.
There are 135 members of the lab staff, which processes samples and runs tests 24 hours a day.
“At last count, Freeman West campus alone resulted 3.7 million tests a year,” said Watts. “This is a true testament to the phlebotomists, laboratory assistants, medical assistants, histology technicians, medical laboratory technicians and medical laboratory scientists/technologists who strive to improve the health of the community we serve at Freeman Health System.