Monday, June 21, 2010 Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital’s laboratory has been awarded accreditation by the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent on-site inspection. The laboratory passed rigorous regulatory requirements to maintain its accreditation, which is reviewed every two years.
CAP is a medical society serving physicians and the laboratory community throughout the world. It is the world’s largest association composed only of pathologists and is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality assurance. The CAP is an advocate for high quality and cost effective medical care. The accreditation program helps to meet and exceed requirements of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as well as those of other national and state regulatory bodies. NVRH is one of more than 7,000 CAP accredited laboratories worldwide.
The CAP program, begun in the early 1960s, is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government’s own inspection program. During the accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and the quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. Staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety programs and records, in addition to the overall management of the laboratory are all examined during the process.
The lab staff must maintaining a “perpetually-ready lab,” since the inspection date is unannounced. Lab staff must address 1,500 to 2,000 individual regulations involved in the average inspection. Each item must be addressed and documentation provided to prove compliance. “It’s a huge task, but a very important one, since it demands vigilance and the same high quality standards as any large medical center such as Fletcher Allen Health Care or Dartmouth. This re-accreditation is a testament to the team work performed by our highly qualified and committed staff,” said Dr. Andrew Goodwin, NVRH pathologist.
“I’m proud of our staff and the quality patient care we provide. The CAP accreditation recognizes us for the knowledgeable, experienced, dedicated professionals who work here. It’s all about team work on behalf of the patients we serve, stated David McGregor, Director of the NVRH lab.
Not all laboratory personnel were able to be part of the picture, but, as McGregor pointed out, “every employee in the laboratory is crucial to the lab accreditation.”
Pictured from left to right are: Lynn Collins, Domingo Lamadriz, Andi Dawson, Karen Cate, Jim Coulson, Carew Magnus, Lyn Maloney, Evelyn D’Ambra, Dr. Andrew Goodwin IV and David McGregor. Missing from the picture are: Kathy Brown, Nancy Pellegrino, Erin Perkins, Sabra McGorty, Pat Muzzy, Linda Larrivee, Natalie Laroche, Sue Longchamps, Erica Butterfield, Amanda Canton, Sue Gadapee, Sue Camber, Linda May Godfrey, Dana Kennedy, Jacqueline Phillips, Leanne Quapau, Michael Thorn and Patsy Tower.
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