Due to staffing challenges, Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL) is undertaking some temporary service changes at the Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre laboratory.  

Effective today, the Outpatient Laboratory in Lacombe will no longer be accepting walk-in patients. All patients will require an appointment for lab work – including regular blood work – until staffing levels stabilize.  

Patients who have been referred by their physician for urgent or specialized lab testing will need their physician to call the laboratory ahead of time to advise of the urgent need. Laboratory staff will then ensure screeners at the hospital’s main entrance know to expect the patient.   

Appointments can be booked by calling the APL Provincial Booking line at 1-833-572-0577or online at www.aplappointments.ca. Patients who are more than 10 minutes late for their appointment will not be seen and will have to rebook.  

Patients are reminded to cancel their lab appointments if they are unable to attend, so that their time will be available for others who can use it. 

This is a temporary measure that will help make the best use of available laboratory resources and ensure patients requiring lab work continue to receive it as soon as possible.