July 19, 2010

Paul Oliver Laboratory Renews Accreditation
College of American Pathologists award is stamp of quality assurance

Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital's laboratory recently received renewed accreditation with the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists following an onsite inspection.

Pathologist John C. Keep, M.D., the laboratory's director, was congratulated by the College for the excellent services provided. The accreditation process involves inspection of the laboratory's records and quality control procedures for the previous two years. Inspectors also examine lab staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, and safety program and record, in addition to overall management of the lab.

"This designation goes well beyond the regulatory compliance and helps laboratories achieve the highest standards of excellence," Keep said. "I am particularly happy for the laboratory staff who work hard every day on behalf of our patients. They have put numerous hours into ensuring that lab processes meet the standards set by the accreditation checklists."

The laboratory processes about 150 to 200 specimens a day. Those include blood draws, routine chemistry, coagulation services and hematology. The lab performs blood draws for Munson Medical Center and the Mayo Clinic as well. Off-site lab services are available in the Crystal Lake Clinic in Benzonia, and at the Manitou Medical Center in Empire.

Keep said the laboratory accreditation process improves patient safety by advancing the quality of pathology and laboratory services. "Patients and families should feel confident that Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital lab results are of high quality," he said.

The lab is open for outpatients 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. - noon on Saturday. Lab services are available 24/7 for the emergency room.

Paul Oliver's Chief Operating Officer Peter Marinoff said the hospital is proud to receive national recognition from the College. "It acknowledges the importance that Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital places on exceeding the highest quality standards," he said.

The College of American Pathologists is a medical society that serves more than 17,000 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.

Contact:  Meghan Daigh
or Dale Killingbeck
Munson Healthcare
Corporate Communications
(231) 935-3394
news@mhc.net