March 20, 2001

FOR RELEASE: Immediately

Kent & Queen Anne's Hospital's laboratory has been awarded accreditation with distinction by the commission on laboratory accreditation of the College of American Pathologist (CAP) based on the results of a recent on-site inspection.

The laboratory's director, Anita R. Sgrignoli, M.D., was advised of the national recognition and congratulated for the "excellence of the services being provided." The laboratory's performance was rated as excellent or exceeding peer group standards in three categories: quality improvement, proficiency testing and personnel and safety. The local hospital's is one of the more than 6,000 CAP-accredited laboratories nationwide.

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. Inspectors examine the records and quality control of the laboratory of the preceding two years, as well as the education and qualifications of the total staff, the adequacy of the facilities, the equipment, laboratory safety and laboratory management to determine how well the laboratory is serving the patient.

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.

-BACK-