ANMC Laboratory and Pathology Department receive visits from AABB and CAP
April 28, 2017
The ANMC Laboratory, Southcentral Foundation Anchorage Native Primary Care Center (ANPCC) Laboratory, and the ANMC Pathology department recently underwent their biennial unannounced inspections by the American Association Blood Banks (AABB) and College of American Pathologists (CAP).
The AABB develops standards for blood banks and transfusion services. As an AABB accredited facility, ANMC ensures the quality and safety of our work meet these requirements and there were no deficiencies found in the ANMC Transfusion Service. A few weeks later, a four-member team of assessors from CAP arrived and spent two full days inspecting the ANMC and ANPCC Laboratories and the ANMC Pathology Department. There were a small number of deficiencies cited, several that were corrected on site.
Both inspections occur every two years, with CAP determining the overall accreditation status of the ANMC Laboratory and AABB reaccrediting the Transfusion Service. CAP and AABB accreditations are considered the gold standards for hospital laboratories across the country and inspections are known for being stringent and thorough.
“The inspectors were very impressed with the cordial working relationship they observed among laboratory staff, nurses and many others. They were also impressed by the strong support and guidance we receive from organizational leadership. These things certainly contributed to two of the best inspections we have ever had,” said Dr. James Tiesinga, ANMC Laboratory Director.
“We have an outstanding, dedicated team that owns their work and is committed to adhering to the highest laboratory standards. These successful surveys couldn’t have been done without the help of nursing, facilities, biomedical engineering, housekeeping and human resources. It was a true team effort,” said Dr. Tiesinga.