Following an unannounced, on-site inspection, The College of American Pathologists’ (CAP) Laboratory Accreditation Program recently reaccredited each of the Conemaugh Health System (CHS) laboratories, including the labs at Memorial Medical Center, Miners Medical Center and Meyersdale Medical Center. This accreditation signifies that all CHS laboratories have successfully met the Laboratory Accreditation Program Standards for Accreditation.
The CAP accreditation process is especially rigorous because facilities attempting accreditation are inspected by their peers. An inspection team, comprised of healthcare laboratory professionals from similar-sized facilities, completes the on-site evaluation.
“It is very important that patients are aware of the high level of excellence required of our laboratories which are all CAP accredited,” says Lary Koval, Conemaugh Health System’s Laboratory Administrative Director. “These laboratories must strive for continuous improvement, education and most of all, quality. Our accreditations support Conemaugh Health System’s vision of ‘Excellence. Every Patient. Every Time.’”
In addition, the AABB, formerly called the American Association of Blood Banks, granted Memorial Medical Center’s Main Campus Laboratory national accreditation for Transfusion and Donor Center activities. The only facility in Cambria County to achieve the honor, the AABB accreditation represents Memorial’s commitment to excellence by promoting a level of professional and technical expertise that contributes to quality performance and patient safety.
“The AABB accreditation fosters advanced learning and innovation in our Blood Bank lab at Memorial, and thereby promotes the highest possible standard of care for patients and donors,” adds Koval.
Tony Campagna, Executive Director, Diagnostic and Outpatient Services, Memorial Medical Center, says, “These accreditations ensure that patients are receiving the safest and highest quality of laboratory services. During accreditation inspections, there are hundreds of standards that our lab professionals at Memorial have to address. We are extremely proud of the laboratory employees at Memorial and at each of our facilities for their dedication to excellence.”
