Laboratory Medical Director United Hospital Center
Bridgeport, W.Va. — United Hospital Center has been awarded accreditation by the College of American Pathologists Accreditation Committee based on results of a recent on-site inspection conducted by CAP inspectors. The inspection team included practicing pathology and laboratory medicine professionals. Recognized for rigorous and robust standards, CAP accreditation elevates quality and mitigates risk, an important way that laboratories can contribute to improved patient outcomes.
The CAP advised Laboratory Medical Director’s Lixin Zhang, M.D., FCAP, of this global recognition and congratulated the laboratory for its excellence in the services being provided. Our laboratory is one of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide.
“The patient is always our highest priority. Every test we perform, every result we report, and every decision we make is guided by our responsibility to provide accurate, timely, and reliable laboratory data that supports patient care and clinical decision-making. I am fortunate to work with a dedicated laboratory team and highly skilled clinicians. It is truly an honor to serve alongside such a committed and collaborative group. I extend my sincere gratitude to our laboratory staff for their expertise, diligence, and professionalism, and to our hospital leadership for their ongoing support and investment in creating an environment where excellence in patient care can thrive,” said Laboratory Medical Director, Lixin Zhang, MD.
“This CAP accreditation is a tremendous honor and validates the exceptional dedication of our laboratory team, whose work behind the scenes is absolutely critical to the patient care we provide at UHC,” said David F. Hess, MD, CEO United Hospital Center, Regional President of the Central Region for West Virginia University Health System. “Achieving this gold standard in laboratory excellence directly supports our commitment to providing safe, reliable, and high-quality healthcare to our community. I am incredibly proud of Dr. Zhang, his entire team, and the collaborative spirit they demonstrate every day in ensuring our clinical data meets the highest standards.”
During the CAP accreditation process, designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management. These reviews help verify activities reflect the most recent best practices.
With over 23,000 laboratory participants, in addition to accreditation, the CAP offers proficiency testing/external quality assessment (PT/EQA) programs, quality improvement tools, and cancer protocols and evidence-based guidelines to ensure excellence in all areas across the laboratory. Built on a foundation of pathologist expertise, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) partners with laboratories worldwide to elevate the quality of laboratory medicine with best-in-class solutions designed to drive operational excellence, achieve diagnostic confidence, and ensure the best patient care.
Congratulations to the pathology and laboratory medicine team for this significant accomplishment that further demonstrates our commitment to high-quality patient care.