The accreditation committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded accreditation to Community Memorial Hospital Main Laboratory, South Hill, based on results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the CAP’s Accreditation Programs.

The facility’s director, Dr. Catherine L.B. Palmer, was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided.

Community Memorial Hospital Main Laboratory is one of more than 7,700 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide.

“We are very proud of our CAP accreditation. Our laboratory staff has worked extremely hard at maintaining standards and quality of care for our patients,” said Palmer.

Upon learning of the laboratory’s accreditation, W. Scott Burnette, CEO of VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital, said, “The CAP accreditation program is a very detailed and rigorous process. Our CMH laboratory team has always done an excellent job, and I’m proud of their continued success of providing high quality service.”

The U.S. federal government recognizes the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, established in the early 1960s, as being equal-to or more-stringent-than the government’s own inspection program.

During the CAP accreditation process — 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.

About the College of American Pathologists

As the leading organization with more than 18,000 board-certified pathologists, the College of American Pathologists serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide.