Life Laboratories Achieves Accreditation

SPRINGFIELD — Mercy Medical Center’s Life Laboratories has been awarded accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on a recent on-site inspection. The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government’s own inspection program.

“The CAP accreditation is significant because it indicates that we adhere to the most stringent quality control and quality assurance methodologies, so as to provide the most accurate laboratory results in a timely manner,” said Dr. Krystyna Sikorska, clinical pathologist and medical director of Life Laboratories.

During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the previous two years. Inspectors also examine the staff’s qualifications, lab equipment, facilities, safety program and record, as well as the overall management of the laboratory. The inspection program is designed to specifically ensure the highest standard of care for the laboratory patients.

Life Laboratories employs 230 people and conducted more than 2.7 million test results in the past year. In addition to the main laboratory, located at Mercy Medical Center at 299 Carew St., there are 16 patient service centers located throughout Western Massachusetts and Connecticut. An outreach program also services more than 50 long-term care facilities.

CAP is a medical society serving nearly 17,000 physician members and the laboratory community throughout the world. It is widely considered the leader in laboratory-quality assurance, and is an advocate for high-quality and cost-effective medical care.