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Published on June 15, 2006
UNOS Recognizes College of American Pathologists’
Laboratory Accreditation Program
Northfield, IL—The College of American Pathologists (CAP) has a signed contract with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to recognize the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program (LAP) as an approved accreditor for UNOS laboratories. Previously, UNOS only recognized the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI) for accreditation purposes.
“We are pleased that UNOS has recognized our exceptional accreditation program,” said CAP President Thomas Sodeman, MD, FCAP “This gives laboratories more flexibility in meeting their accreditation requirements, eliminating the needed for multiple accreditations in order to meet UNOS standards.”
“CAP has demonstrated its willingness and capacity to evaluate histocompatibility laboratories for all standards that the OPTN (Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network) requires, and this will provide another pathway for labs to qualify for OPTN membership,” said UNOS Executive Director Walter Graham.
The CAP Laboratory 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.
During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine the entire staff’s qualifications, the laboratory’s equipment, facilities, safety program and record, as well as the overall management of the laboratory. This stringent inspection program is designed to specifically ensure the highest standard of care for the laboratory’s patients.
The College of American Pathologists is a medical society serving nearly 16,000 physician members and the laboratory community throughout the world. It is the world’s largest association composed exclusively of pathologists and is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality assurance. The CAP is an advocate for high-quality and cost-effective medical care.
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