The laboratory at Willamette Valley Medical Center has been awarded an accreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) based on the results of a recent on-site inspection.

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 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.

"This accreditation shows that we follow all the rules, regulations, policies and procedures so that we can produce quality laboratory testing," explains Kim Kilmer, Director of Laboratory Services. Kilmer credited her staff for the excellent result. "Everyone on our staff strives to do the best job possible."

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.