WMHS Labs Receive Accreditation from the College of American Pathologists

The laboratories at the Western Maryland Health System (WMHS) have 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 health system laboratories at both Memorial and Braddock campuses were advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of services being provided to patients. The labs at WMHS are part of a select group of only 6,000 CAP-accredited laboratories nationwide to earn this official recognition.

Steve Bellistri, System Director for Laboratory Services at WMHS, stressed that the most recent CAP survey was very important because it was a bit of a surprise. "This was the first time we were subject to an unannounced survey and I am very pleased to report that our labs came through it with flying colors."

As part of the on-site inspection, inspectors examine the records and quality control of the laboratory for the preceding two years, as well as the education and qualifications of the total staff, the facilities, the equipment, performance improvement, laboratory safety, and laboratory management to determine how well the laboratory is serving their patients.

"The CAP Accreditation is the Gold Standard for laboratories because their survey process is even more rigorous than the most inspections and it has served as a model for various federal, state, and private laboratory accreditation programs throughout the world," said Bellistri.

The College of American Pathologists is a medical society serving 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 group is an advocate for high-quality and cost-effective medical care.

Pathologist Dr. Noel Thompson serves as the Medical Director for Laboratory Services at WMHS. According to Dr. Thompson, the credit for the successful CAP survey is shared by the many laboratory professionals who work at the health system. "While we have state-of-the-art equipment, it is really the lab employees who make a quality laboratory. From our phlebotomists and couriers to our technical and clerical staff to our supervisors and administrative personnel, everyone has worked tirelessly to ensure not only that we were ready for this inspection, but also to ensure that the patients and physicians of WMHS are provided with quality laboratory services each and every day."

Laboratory Services at WMHS are provided by technologists, technicians, phlebotomists, support and clerical personnel, and supervisory staff. Providing medical direction for Clinical and Anatomic Pathology are Dr. Thompson, Dr. David Dusenberry, Dr. Francisco Reyes, Dr. Jonathan Walburn and Dr. Naimin Wei, who are pathologists with Potomac Highlands Pathology Associates.