St. Luke’s Health Memorial Livingston Lab receives worldwide accreditation

St. Luke’s Health Memorial Livingston Laboratory once again met all applicable standards for accreditation through the College of American Pathologists’ Laboratory Accreditation Program.

The Laboratory Accreditation Program is an internationally recognized program which includes complex university medical centers to physician office laboratories. It is designed to go well beyond regulatory compliance, and the program provides a solid foundation for excellence and quality practices in medical laboratories.

Under the direction of Dr. David L. Todd, the Livingston laboratory is one of 7,000 CAP accredited facilities worldwide. The lab has been accredited since 2005 through the CAP program.

During the accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control procedures for the past two years. During an onsite investigation, CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety programs and records and overall management to assess the quality of the laboratory. The standards set by CAP are translated into detailed checklist requirements that the lab must follow. The checklists, which are specific to individual laboratories, constantly evolve to reflect changes in technology requiring continuous compliance.

“We pride ourselves in upholding the highest possible standards and our continuous accreditation in the CAP program proves our commitment to excellence,” said Randy Slack, Chief Executive Officer at St. Luke’s Health Memorial Livingston. “The Laboratory staff goes beyond standard quality practices and performs at the same level as  some of the greatest institutions worldwide.”

The CAP program advocates excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide.

During the next two years, CAP will assist the Livingston lab in maintaining compliance. The St. Luke’s Health lab will seek accreditation again in April 2016.