Laboratory receives CAP accreditation

The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded accreditation to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital’s laboratory in Effingham, Illinois, based on results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the CAP's Accreditation Programs. 

St. Anthony’s laboratory medical director, Dr. Patrick R. Hemmer, was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided. St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital’s laboratory is one of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide. 

“St. Anthony’s laboratory team is dedicated to serving our community with the highest quality and safety standards,” said Dr. Hemmer. “Receiving this accreditation demonstrates our commitment to providing high quality care to those in our community.” 

Mike Janis, St. Anthony’s executive director of professional services, shared, “I am extremely proud of our laboratory colleagues for achieving this national recognition, especially amidst the high demands they have undertaken over the last couple years. Our team continues to exceed expectations, providing highly accurate results to our medical providers in a timely manner,” he said. 

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.

Photo Caption: Representatives of the HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital’s laboratory team celebrate the lab receiving the College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation.  Front: Ashlyn Bohannon, microbiology facilitator. Back row, left to right: Holly Thacker, core lab facilitator; Jean Devore, chemistry facilitator; Sue Faber, laboratory manager; Carrie Repking, laboratory IT; and Dr. Patrick Hemmer, laboratory medical director. The laboratory team is pictured prior to leaving to assist with a CAP accreditation survey at a hospital in Missouri. The CAP accreditation survey is a peer inspection process that aids in sharing of learnings and best practices across accredited facilities.