78th Clinical Laboratory receives accreditation Published Nov. 2, 2012 By Kendahl Johnson Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The 78th Medical Group Clinical Laboratory will continue to provide quality services to its customers, as it has been awarded accreditation based on results of a stringent inspection specifically designed to ensure the highest standard of care. The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists recently advised the laboratory staff of this national recognition and congratulated the staff for the excellence of services being provided and for exceeding quality patient care. "Through guidance and dedication, the laboratory staff came together as a team to ensure a successful inspection," said 1st Lt. Melissa Campos, the lab's flight commander. "I feel proud that we're providing the highest quality healthcare to our patients and providers. Receiving accreditation is confirmation of that." A team of five inspectors examined the lab's records, its quality control, staff qualifications, overall management of the laboratory and its equipment, its safety program and record. The inspectors scrutinized more than 1,000 rigorous standards with only one finding. The inspectors recognized the laboratory's training and competency program as a "best practice" and stated the operating instructions were the "best they've ever seen." Campos said the inspection and the resulting accreditation showed the laboratory exceeds all the requirements in ensuring accuracy, reliability and timeliness of test results for the purpose of providing information for the assessment of health. She said those three elements are crucial to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of patients serviced by the group. The goal of the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program is to improve patient safety by advancing the quality of pathology and laboratory services through education, standard setting and ensuring laboratories meet or exceed regulatory requirements. Failing an inspection could result in the laboratory ceasing operation. The 78th MDG lab will be inspected again in two years.