Saint Elizabeths Hospital Blackburn Laboratory has been awarded an accreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) based on the results of a recent on-site inspection.

The College of American Pathologists is a medical society composed exclusively of pathologists and is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality assurance. The CAP 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.

“National accreditation confirms that Saint Elizabeths performs the highest standard of care for laboratory services for patients,” said Stephen T. Baron, Director of the Department of Mental Health which operates the psychiatric facility.  “I congratulate Dr. Patrick Canavan, CEO of the Hospital, and Dr. Suryabala Kanhouwa, Director of the Blackburn Laboratory”.

During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control procedures for the preceding two years.  CAP inspectors also examine staff qualifications, the laboratory’s equipment, facilities, safety program and record as well as overall management of the laboratory.

The Blackburn Laboratory was first accredited by the College of American Pathologists in 1985 and has been reaccredited every two years following an on-site inspection.