By Rosanne Fohn

John D. Olson, M.D., Ph.D., is a professor, vice chair for clinical affairs and director of the South Texas Reference Laboratories in the UT Health Science Center San Antonio’s Department of Pathology.
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The South Texas Reference Laboratories (STRL), part of the Department of Pathology at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio, recently received accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP).

The STRL offers a wide range of laboratory support services to Health Science Center faculty and staff and University Hospital, as well as outside entities throughout South Texas and around the world. Services are offered on a fee-for-service basis, including technical services and diagnostic interpretation.

John D. Olson, M.D., Ph.D., professor, vice chair for clinical affairs and director of the laboratory, said, “Receiving CAP accreditation means that the STRL has met the most stringent requirements regarding high- quality and cost-effective laboratory services supporting patient care.”

The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government’s own inspection program.

During the CAP accreditation process, on-site inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, as well as the laboratory’s equipment, facilities, safety program and record, in addition to the overall management of the laboratory. This stringent inspection program is designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients.

The CAP accreditation, one of two accreditations STRL has received, extends through December 2012. The Certificate of Accreditation from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services extends through February 2013.