For Immediate Release

For more information, contact:
Jean Price, 651-636-7514 or 763-689-7700 ext. 1216

Cambridge Medical Center laboratory receives Quality Award

CAMBRIDGE, Minn. 08/23/2002--

Cambridge Medical Center has received official notification from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) that the medical center’s laboratories at Cambridge Medical Center and at Allina Medical Clinic in North Branch have been awarded accreditation with distinction based on the results of an on-site inspection and evaluation earlier this year.  

According to the CAP, “Cambridge Medical Center’s Laboratory is one of a select group of laboratories that has been evaluated and found to be in compliance with the CAP accreditation standards—rigorous laboratory standards designed to help ensure quality patient care.” The CAP’s program is the most respected and recognized laboratory accreditation program in the world and has long been considered the “gold standard” against which others are measured.  

Ronald B. Lepoff, MD, Chair of the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation for the CAP, stated in a letter to Dennis Doran, president of CMC, that “Cambridge Medical Center’s laboratory is to be commended for this major accomplishment. It is our pleasure to support the mission of organizations like yours.”

Cambridge Medical Center’s two laboratories are under the direction of John McClure, MD and Carol Streff, manager. “Our ability to achieve accreditation with distinction is the result of the work of our lab employees,” said Ms. Streff. “They have done a tremendous job of meeting the rigorous requirements of the CAP. It’s through their excellent work and diligent documentation that we have received this recognition.” 

The laboratory was evaluated on four areas: personnel and safety, technical process, quality improvement, and proficiency testing. As part of the accreditation process, the lab received lab samples from the CAP. They were asked to evaluate the samples and return their results to the CAP who then graded the results.  

Doran says the accreditation is validation of the dedication and efforts of medical center employees. “We continually strive to deliver quality medical care to patients in all areas of the medical center. This accreditation recognizes the outstanding efforts our laboratory employees make in delivering excellent patient care. Our laboratory employees rank among the best and it’s an honor to have their efforts recognized by the CAP,” said Mr. Doran.

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