McConnell Lab receives CAP accreditation Published Sept. 19, 2007 By Senior Airman Kyle Mills 22nd Medical Group MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- On August 30 - 31st, the 22nd Medical Group's clinical laboratory received an unannounced accreditation inspection from the College of American Pathologists . The CAP is an internationally recognized laboratory accreditation program which utilizes teams of laboratory professionals to conduct lab inspections across global facilities including all permanent military installations. The purpose of this inspection is to ensure patient safety and quality laboratory protocols are meeting or exceeding all federal regulatory requirements. The inspection is made up of a detailed and focused checklist comprised of over 1,000 checklist items that not only assess the overall management and operation of the lab, but also exists as a blueprint for laboratories to follow. The program is designed to help laboratories achieve the highest standards of excellence and ensure successful patient care. For two days, the members of the McConnell laboratory and two members of the executive staff were asked intricate questions and given complex scenarios regarding laboratory policy and practice. The CAP representative had many encouraging things to say about the lab, including that the technicians were very enthusiastic, well-trained and eager to learn new things. Upon their successful completion of the inspection process, the laboratory was awarded CAP accreditation and became part of an exclusive group of more than 6,600 laboratories worldwide that have exceeded the highest standards of excellence.