FORT LEE, Va. (June 22, 2017) -- The Kenner Army Health Clinic Laboratory along with its two outlying troop medical clinics -- TMC 1 and Mosier Consolidated TMC 2 -- received an excellent rating during a recent biennial inspection by the College of American Pathologists earlier this month.

"It is because we have an amazingly talented and dedicated team of lab professionals that we, once again, demonstrated faithful adherence to the highest standards of quality," said Maj. Michael Coombes, chief, Laboratory services, KAHC.

The College of American Pathologists, an organization formed in response to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act, is a leading organization of board-certified pathologists that accredits more than 7,600 clinical laboratories globally as part of its Laboratory Accreditation Program. CAP has continually been granted deeming authority by the Centers of Medicaid and Medicare Services.

CAP inspections of laboratories promote better patient care by constantly challenging labs to improve at a rate keeping pace with the speed of technological advances. The terms of accreditation guide the lab through rigorous procedures, sample testing challenges and supervisory requirements that ensures standards are maintained, and accurate and timely diagnostic results are reported to health care providers.

"The CAP inspection is one of the most demanding inspections of the United States Healthcare System with a check list of around 2,500 daily processes," said Lt. Col. Fernando Robles, deputy commander, Patient Services. "Our Laboratory team received accolades from the CAP inspector for a well-managed section. Their stellar performance and commitment to patient care make us proud."

Any factor affecting results generated by the lab is expounded upon in detail within CAP standards and is required to be continually maintained. Maintenance at this level of excellence is a daily focus, not only in testing but in all other aspects of lab operations. The inspection process is simply the verification that all processes are compliant with the terms of accreditation and opportunities for improvement are identified and incorporated into operations.