NMCSD's Pathology Program Reaccredited for Two More Years

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chad A. Bascom, Naval Medical Center San Diego Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Naval Medical Center San Diego's (NMCSD) Pathology program obtained a two-year reaccreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) through October 2014.

Over two days, the Pathology department reviewed policies and procedures to ensure adherance to the current practices and any new requirements since the last accreditation in 2010.

The process involved the review of records, staff training, revision of policies and procedures, and inventory management of consumables.

"CAP accreditation demonstrates that NMCSD is meeting the high standards established by the leaders in laboratory medicine. Moreover, the degree to which the laboratory succeeded in the inspection process shows that we are exceeding those standards"," said Capt. Scott Luzi, laboratory department head.

The Pathology program earned the maximum two year reaccreditation. This means that for the next two years, NMCSD is fully accredited to train and graduate pathology doctors. NMCSD trains approximately four pathology doctors a year as well as one community college intern, six phlebotomy students per month and approximately 10 medical lab technicians per class, according to Eileen S. Licuanan, Pathology lab quality assurance officer.

Proper training is critical to the lab's success. With more than 200 staff comprised of active duty service members and civilians, Pathology is continually running self tests to ensure all standard operating procedures are followed step by step the same way every time. The Food and Drug Administration inspectors can visit unannounced at any time and conduct an inspection, which adds additional incentive for readiness and providing the highest possible standards of care.

Both staff and patients will benefit from the accreditation.

"Our providers and patients can be confident that the laboratory is producing quality results to assist them in guiding their health care decisions," said Luzi.

In addition to this achievement, the laboratory delivers quality laboratory services on a daily basis in support of the armed forces, including laboratory testing, phlebotomy services, and point of care testing for 330 sites within the hospital and donor center collecting approximately 10,000 blood products annually.

The NMCSD Pathology program is also accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks and required to submit a check-up report halfway through the accreditation period.