North Oaks Health System’s
Laboratories recently earned accreditation renewals following on-site surveys from
AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) and the
College of American Pathologists (CAP).
The laboratory has been CAP-accredited since 1996, and its blood bank has
been AABB-accredited since 1974.
AABB is a Maryland-based peer review assessment program. Accreditation
through the program is voluntary and validates North Oaks’ commitment
to the highest standards of excellence for blood transfusion activities.
The AABB Accreditation Program contributes to the quality and safety of
collecting, processing, testing, distributing and administering blood
and cellular therapy products. The basis for assessment is compliance
with AABB standards, the Code of Federal Regulations and other federal
guidance documents.
The federal government recognizes the CAP accreditation process as being
equal to or more stringent than its own inspection program. During the
CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records
and the procedure quality controls of the preceding two years. CAP inspectors
also examine staff qualifications, as well as the laboratory’s equipment,
facilities, safety program and record, and overall management.
“Successful CAP and AABB reaccreditation validate the high level
of service and quality provided by our team,” asserts Steven Ceulemans,
laboratory director for North Oaks Health System. “These accreditations
affirm that we are meeting the most current regulatory standards and quality
guidelines.”
North Oaks Health System’s Vice President of Operational Strategy
Sarah Mitchell concurs.
“These accreditations place our laboratory among an elite, international
group of certified health care professionals committed to consistently
improving lives by delivering care of the utmost safety and quality,” she adds.
North Oaks is the only hospital-based health system on the Northshore to
deploy laboratory automation to assist health care professionals in processing
test results 24/7. On average, 2,600 tests are processed each day with
more than 790,000 tests handled annually. An onsite anatomical pathology
lab for evaluation of organ and tissue samples also means faster test
results, diagnosis and treatment for patients.