Southwest Medical Center Receives CAP Accreditation

LIBERAL, KS – Southwest Medical Center ??s main laboratory, as well as the Arterial Blood Gas Laboratory, have both been awarded accreditation by the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of recent onsite inspections.

The director for both labs, Hubert C. Peterson, MD, was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided. Southwest Medical Center Main Laboratory and the Arterial Blood Gas Laboratory are two of more than 7,000 CAP-accredited laboratories worldwide.

The CAP laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government ??s own inspection program.

During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examined the two laboratorys ?? records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examined laboratory staff qualifications, as well as the laboratorys ?? equipment, facilities, safety program and record, in addition to the overall management of the laboratories. This stringent inspection program is designed to specifically ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients.

The College of American Pathologists is a medical society that serves more than 17,000 physician members and the laboratory throughout the world. It is the world ??s largest association composed exclusively of board-certified pathologists and is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality assurance. The College is advocate for high-quality and cost-effective patient care. More information about the College can be found at www.cap.org.