Uniontown Hospital receives multiple accreditations

Uniontown Hospital announced that the hospital Laboratory has received re-accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and re-accreditation from the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) for blood bank operations.

The Accreditation Committee of CAP awarded the accreditation to the hospital laboratory based on results of an on-site inspection of the facility earlier this year.

In fiscal year 2019, the hospital lab processed 983,000 tests, including 256,000 for in-patient labs and 727,000 for outpatient labs.

CAP inspectors perform unannounced inspections of the laboratory every two years. Certified CAP inspectors review quality metrics, policies, proficiency testing results and interview a selection of the Laboratory staff members.

The hospital is among more than 7,700 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide. “These accreditations show the commitment of our laboratory staff,” Uniontown Hospital Executive Director of Clinical Operations, Mark Dillon, said. “Our lab is providing competent and compliant care and that dedication is reflected in these accreditations.”

Established in 1947, AABB is an international, nonprofit organization committed to ensuring the standards of transfusion medicine, cellular therapies and patient blood management.

The AABB accreditation was earned following an on-site assessment of the lab that revealed Uniontown Hospital met or exceeded the standards set by AABB. This assessment is also performed every two years, and is also unannounced.

In fiscal year 2019, the hospital’s blood bank transfused 5,409 products, in addition to performing 5,257 type and screens and 2,916 type and cross matches prior to transfusions.

Laboratory Director Susan Bolin said she is proud of the work her team is doing and their efforts to ensure compliance.

“These two certifications reflect the lab team’s dedication to quality patient care every day,” she said. “We are focused on the aspects of care that we engage in that can help us all make a healthy difference for each of our patients.”