Southwest General Hospital’s laboratory personnel Barbara Garcia, from left, Jacqueline Ackley and Donna Pryor display their accreditation certificate from CAP. Courtesy photo

Southwest General Hospital’s Clinical Laboratory has been awarded an accreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent on-site inspection.

The laboratory’s director was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the “excellence of the services being provided.”

Southwest General Hospital’s Clinical Laboratory is one of the more than 6,000 CAP – accredited laboratories nationwide.

The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program is recognized by the federal government.

During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine the entire staff’s qualifications, the laboratory’s equipment, facilities, safety program and record, as well as the overall management of the laboratory.

The College of American Pathologists is a medical society serving nearly 16,000 physician members and the laboratory community throughout the world.

It is the world’s largest association composed exclusively 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.