Greenwood Genetic Center’s Diagnostic Laboratories Earn CAP Accreditation
August 31, 2011
GREENWOOD, SC – August 30, 2011 – The Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) announces that its Diagnostic Laboratories have been accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Laboratory Accreditation Program following a recent onsite inspection. CAP is widely recognized as the leader in laboratory quality assurance. Their accreditation program goes beyond regulatory compliance ensuring that accredited labs achieve the highest standards of excellence for high-quality patient care.
Accreditation by CAP is based on rigorous standards including an inspection of laboratory facilities, equipment, safety programs and quality control procedures, as well as reviewing the qualifications of faculty and staff. The goal of CAP accreditation is to improve patient safety by advancing the quality of laboratory services through education, standard-setting and ensuring that laboratories meet or exceed regulatory requirements. CAP accreditation places GGC’s Diagnostic Laboratories among an exclusive group of over 7,000 laboratories worldwide that have met these high standards of excellence.
GGC’s labs have maintained certification through the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) for many years, but CAP accreditation represents a more stringent level of quality assurance.
“Becoming a CAP accredited laboratory is a new benchmark for GGC and was accomplished by a significant number of faculty and staff members working towards this common goal”, said Mike Friez, PhD, Director of Laboratories at GGC. “Our Center has always strived to offer the best clinical services possible and now that we have this certification in place we can continue towards our ultimate goal of continuously improving patient care.”
GGC’s Diagnostic Laboratories include cytogenetic, biochemical and molecular analysis for a variety of inherited conditions with a focus on birth defects and intellectual disabilities. The laboratory serves over 25,000 families each year.
About Greenwood Genetic Center
The Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC), founded in 1974, is a nonprofit organization advancing the field of medical genetics and caring for families impacted by genetic disease and birth defects. At its home campus in Greenwood, South Carolina, a talented team of physicians and scientists provides clinical genetic services, diagnostic laboratory testing, educational programs and resources, and research in the field of medical genetics. GGC’s faculty and staff are committed to the goal of developing preventive and curative therapies for the individuals and families they serve. GGC extends its reach as a resource to all residents of South Carolina with satellite offices in Charleston, Columbia, Florence and Greenville. For more information about GGC please visit www.ggc.org.
About the College of American Pathologists
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 Board-certified pathologists and is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality assurance. The College is an advocate for high-quality and cost-effective patient care. More information about the College can be found at www.cap.org.
