The laboratories at CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga and Hospital Georgia have been awarded accreditation by the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists based on results of recent on-site inspections as part of the CAP’s Accreditation Programs. "This is the gold-standard in laboratory accreditation," officials said.
CHI Memorial Laboratory Medical Director Sanford Sharp, MD was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided.
CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga and Hospital Georgia are two of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide. The CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson laboratory currently holds the CAP accreditation and is scheduled for its routine survey inspection for re-accreditation in 2021.
“Our lab has been accredited by the College of American Pathologists for decades, but I’ve never been as proud of our team as this year,” said Dr. Sharp. “After a challenging upgrade to the EPIC electronic medical record in November 2019 followed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, we pulled together and excelled during our CAP inspections in October. Ann Durham, lab director, and Deavin Blansit, lab supervisor, rose to the occasion and distinguished themselves throughout. All the technologists and assistants pulled together to contribute to this success. It is frankly astounding that we could overcome so much during this difficult year.”
Officials said, "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.
"The CAP accreditation process is 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, safety program and record and overall management. On-site inspections occur every two years."