SWMC Laboratory Receives Accreditation from College of American Pathologists

The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded accreditation to Southwest Medical Center Laboratory, based on results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the CAP’s Accreditation Programs.

SWMC’s interim Laboratory Director Linda Loyd, was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided. Southwest Medical Center Laboratory is one of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide.

“The CAP inspection is a rigorous process covering all aspects of the laboratory operation in regard to quality and safety management and is considered the gold standard for clinical and anatomic pathology services. The team at SWMC has done an outstanding job of continuous quality improvement and maintaining constant readiness for this bi-annual inspection process. Congratulations to our team and all should be proud of the results and outcome of this most recent inspection,” says Mark Cowan, Chief Operating Officer.

The U.S. federal government recognizes the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, as being equal-to or more-stringent-than the government’s own inspection program.

During the CAP accreditation process, designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, program and record, and overall management.