AHS, Dynalife extend laboratory services contract

One-year extension means continuity of patient care for Albertans

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has signed a oneyear extension to its existing contract with Dynalife Diagnostic Laboratory Services to provide laboratory services in Edmonton and parts of northern and central Alberta.

The extension, to March 31, 2017, is on the same terms and scope as the existing agreement and ensures continuity of laboratory services for Albertans. The current contract is worth just over $130 million annually.

“It was important to take immediate steps to ensure the people of Edmonton and central and northern Alberta continue to receive highquality lab services,” says Vickie Kaminski, AHS President and CEO. “This agreement gives confidence to patients and health care providers that this very important health care service will continue without disruption.”

An extension was necessary to ensure continuity of patient care following the cancellation in August of a Request for Proposals for laboratory services in Edmonton and parts of northern and central Alberta. Work continues to ensure the long-term stability of laboratory services. That includes working closely with the Government of Alberta as it leads a review of all laboratory services in the province.

Dynalife runs northern Alberta’s primary testing facility and 27 community collections sites in Edmonton and surrounding area, along with five community collection sites and four health centre locations in northern and central Alberta. Dynalife staff perform about 17 million lab tests annually on behalf of AHS – about 55 per cent of all lab tests in Edmonton and northern Alberta.

“Dynalife’s team of more than 1,100 employees remains committed to serving Alberta’s communities with high-quality and dependable laboratory services,” says Dynalife CEO Jason Pincock. “Dynalife will continue to work collaboratively with AHS and Alberta Health to explore future opportunities for delivering and enhancing this essential health service.”

Dynalife is a major Canadian medical laboratory offering a complete range of diagnostic testing services. With its main testing facility located in Edmonton, Dynalife has provided high-quality laboratory services across Canada, including in Alberta, for more than 50 years.