Altru Hospital Devils Lake Awarded Laboratory Accreditation from Joint Commission

Grand Forks, N.D. - Altru Hospital Devils Lake, a 25-bed critical access hospital nestled in the Lake
Region, has earned Laboratory Accreditation from Joint Commission, an independent, evidence-based
standards setting organization that sets the benchmark for safe, high-quality patient care through
healthcare accreditation. This accomplishment formally recognizes Altru Hospital Devils Lake’s ongoing
commitment to meeting rigorous performance standards and delivering the safest, highest quality care to its patients.

Altru Hospital Devils Lake underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite survey on April 30. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission surveyors assessed compliance across key areas such as Bacteriology,
Mycology, Parasitology, Virology, General Immunology, Routine Chemistry, Urinalysis, Endocrinology,
Toxicology, Coagulation, Hematology, Blood Transfusion Services and Immunohematology (ABO Group
and RH, Antibody Transfusion, Antibody Non-Transfusion, and Compatibility Testing.

“As laboratory leadership, we are deeply committed to providing the safe and accurate laboratory
medicine here at Altru in Devils Lake,” said Paul Samson, MS-MLS, Manager Laboratory Services at Altru Hospital Devils Lake. “Through this accreditation process, not only do we learn our strengths, but we also strive to find ways that we can continue to elevate the care we provide for patients. The Joint Commission helps us hold our laboratory to the highest standards to reach those goals. We have a great team of local laboratory professionals in Devils Lake and are excited to continue a culture of safety and quality.”

Joint Commission surveyors conducted on-site observations and interviews to identify performance strengths and opportunities for continued improvement. With decades of expertise and a data-driven
accreditation process, Joint Commission helps ensure healthcare organizations adhere to leading quality and safety practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and commitment to better patient
care.

“Joint Commission congratulates Altru Hospital Devils Lake for achieving accreditation by demonstrating its focus on delivering safe and effective care of the highest quality and value,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, Joint Commission. “Through the accreditation process, we worked closely with Altru Hospital Devils Lake to enable and affirm the highest standards of healthcare quality and patient safety. Together, we are elevating care for all patients, and we appreciate Altru Hospital Devils Lake’s collaboration throughout this process.”

“Our staff prepare for this accreditation each and every day by performing high level work,” said Bill
DeWall, MLS, Supervisor of Laboratory Services at Altru Hospital Devils Lake. “Our patients depend on
us day in and day out to deliver high quality results in a timely fashion while doing that in a safe environment. Without the expertise and dedication by all staff, this recognition would not have been possible.”

For more information, please visit Joint Commission’s website.