A CAP laboratory audit, conducted by the College of American Pathologists, involves a thorough on-site inspection by trained peer inspectors. This inspection includes reviews of a laboratory's quality management system, technical competency, and operational practices using detailed checklists, where they examine documents, observe procedures in action, ask probing questions to staff, and follow samples through the testing process to identify any areas of non-compliance and ensure the lab meets high standards for patient care.
Here’s more on the CAP laboratory audit and how LetsGetChecked’s CAP-accredited labs operate with the highest quality standards.
What is the CAP laboratory audit?
The CAP’s Laboratory Accreditation Program is a champion of laboratory excellence and is a global leader in improving the quality of services using established performance standards. Their programs provide an engaging, dynamic, collaborative process that fosters an environment of continuous improvement.
CAP systematically reviews and accredits laboratories across the United States based on certain safety and patient care standards. The CAP facilitates this important role through the Laboratory Accreditation Program, which accredits each lab with authority granted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
These site visits are performed by multidisciplinary teams of practicing laboratory professionals and occur every two years to assess compliance. The size of the inspection team depends on the size of the laboratory.
Labs receive a checklist of regulatory standards that are developed with input from more than 500 pathologists to provide a roadmap for achieving accreditation and running a high-quality laboratory. This checklist is updated annually to reflect current best practices and technologies.
What is the purpose of a CAP laboratory audit?
The purpose of a CAP laboratory audit is to ensure the laboratory meets the highest standards of quality, accuracy, and safety. This inspection also provides an opportunity for laboratories to learn and exchange ideas and best practices with other pathology and laboratory peers.
CAP Laboratory Accreditation helps laboratories:
- Maintain accuracy of test results and ensure accurate patient diagnosis
- Meet required standards from Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
- Manage rapidly evolving changes in laboratory medicine and technology
- Offer professional development and learning opportunities for laboratory staff
CAP requirements commonly exceed the standards from CLIA, FDA, and OSHA, bolstering a laboratory’s patient care and safety.
Leverage the highest levels of laboratory quality with LetsGetChecked
LetsGetChecked Labs underwent its biennial College of American Pathologists (CAP) laboratory audit last November, with outstanding performance. This audit is required for the laboratory to maintain its accreditation and licensure. The preparation and support across our laboratory team was tremendous, and we are thrilled that the CAP auditors have recognized the effort made by the team day in and day out. Generating high-quality laboratory results is key to achieving LetsGetChecked's mission of providing essential testing to the people who need it most. Our lab’s CAP-accreditation validates the quality that goes into our testing and we are proud to be the market leader in our space.
