ARMC’s Clinical Lab Recognized for Meeting Highest Standards of Care

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center’s onsite clinical laboratory has received accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP). This distinction is awarded to facilities that meet the highest standards of excellence in quality laboratory practices. The laboratory has met the federal standards set forth by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) through the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program is an internationally recognized program where teams of practicing laboratory professionals are the inspectors. During the accreditation process, inspectors examine the clinical laboratory’s records, procedures, and quality control. They survey the laboratory’s equipment, facilities, safety program and overall laboratory management to ensure it meets CAP’s stringent requirements. The goal of the CAP program is to improve patient safety by advancing the quality of pathology and laboratory services through education and rigorous standards, which meet or exceed regulatory requirements. The Joint Commission, which accredits and certifies more than 20,500 U.S. health care organizations and programs, recognizes the quality of laboratories that are CAP accredited during its hospital accreditation survey. “I am exceptionally proud of how well our group of professionals performed to maintain the quality, service, and survey readiness of the laboratory,” said Henry Lee, lab manager. “Our unsung heroes all deserve praise for a job done well!” The survey is conducted every two years. ARMC congratulates Carolyn Leach, MD; Henry Lee, CLS; and the entire laboratory team.