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

 The facility's director, Catherine L. Palmer, MD, was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided. VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital’s Main Laboratory is one of more than 7,700 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide.

 "VCU Health CMH Laboratory Director Christina Duke and I are proud of the hard working and professional staff of our new lab, and we are grateful for the leadership of VCU Health CMH administration, the guidance of the VCU Pathology Department, and the support of our wonderful community,” said Dr. Palmer.

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.

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 (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. The CAP's Laboratory Improvement Programs, initiated 65 years ago, currently have customers in more than 100 countries, accrediting 7, 700 laboratories and providing proficiency testing to 20,000 laboratories worldwide. Find more information about the CAP at cap.erg. Follow CAP on Twitter: @pathologists.