341 MDG laboratory awarded accreditation after inspection

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Airmen from Air Force Global Strike Command's 341st Medical Group Clinical Laboratory were awarded accreditation by the College of American Pathologists based on the results of a recent on-site inspection. The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program has been recognized by the federal government as one the most stringent inspection programs, and through their certification, the 341st MDG joins more than 7,000 laboratories worldwide in earning the title.

"Every laboratory in the Department of Defense is governed by CAP, and they have different checklists according to the capabilities that we have or what we provide in our respective labs," said Tech. Sgt. Nicanor Barboza, 341st MDG laboratory services NCOIC.

The laboratory team re-wrote 94 operating instructions and then answered 803 CAP checklist questions in order to ensure they were fully prepared and certifiable, he said. Each of those questions had to be reviewed and researched to make sure they were compliant with procedures.

During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examined the laboratory's records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examined laboratory staff qualifications, as well as the laboratory's equipment, facilities, safety program records and the facility's overall management. This thorough inspection program was designed to specifically ensure the highest standard of care for all patients.

"The most difficult part of the CAP preparation was having to revise our procedures two months prior to our inspection window," Sergeant Barboza said. "After review, we found that the operations procedures didn't meet that standard of perfection that both the laboratory and our leadership would expect, so we backtracked over the last two years and re-wrote every single operating instruction. We then had to obtain written approval from our pathologist, and then answer the checklist questions for the CAP again to match those new procedures."

To ensure that the lab maintains their certification between inspections, they test unknown samples throughout the year from CAP. Those samples are graded amongst other laboratories in similar size and region. This process verifies that the testing they provide to patients remains flawless.

"This certification maintains the standard in which we operate and puts in place critical processes and procedures to ensure that everything is being done properly," said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Shields, 341st MDG laboratory services technician. "The clinical laboratory testing plays a key role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Doctors here rely on us to provide them results to better take care of our patients on the installation. Having this accreditation allows us to continue to effectively do our jobs and support the clinic when needed."