SMH lab receives CAP accreditation

NORWAY — Timothy A. Churchill, president and chief executive officer of Western Maine Health, is proud to announce Stephens Memorial Hospital Laboratory received accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP).

The facility’s directory, Ola Melhus, MD, was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided. Stephens Memorial Hospital Laboratory is one of more than 7,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide.

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.

The College of American Pathologists (CAP), celebrating 50 years as the gold standard in laboratory accreditation, is a medical society that serves more than 18,000 physician members and the global laboratory community. It is the world’s largest association composed exclusively of board-certified pathologists and is the worldwide leader in laboratory quality assurance. The College advocates accountable, high-quality and cost-effective patient care. More information about the CAP can be found at www.cap.org.

Stephens Memorial Hospital is an affiliate of Western Maine Health, which is a member of MaineHealth®. Visit Western Maine Health on the Internet at www.wmhcc.org.