API, ASCP and JCAHO Announce Collaborative Relationship To Offer New Laboratory Accreditation Product

News Releases

Contacts:

API – Stacey McCalpin (800-333-0958)
ASCP – Robin Stombler (202-347-4450)

(OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill.- November 6, 2002) – The American Proficiency Institute (API), the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) announce a collaborative relationship to offer, as an option, a combined package of laboratory accreditation services, customized proficiency testing and technological and scientific educational services.

Laboratories will be able to integrate menu-driven, web-based API proficiency testing that meets JCAHO accreditation requirements and participate in cutting-edge ASCP technological and scientific educational programs that are uniquely designed for customer needs. Through this collaborative effort, the expertise of pathologists, skilled medical technologist surveyors and an experienced proficiency testing provider will be integrated into the JCAHO survey process.

Such collaboration would meet the needs of laboratories by offering reduced costs, improved service, new educational opportunities and enhanced surveyor expertise in a one-stop, coordinated fashion.

"With this new accreditation program, laboratory professionals are able to customize and pay for only the proficiency testing services they need," says Daniel Edson, president, API. "They could then report and access the proficiency testing results from a secure website when it is convenient for them."

"Laboratories would also be enrolled in a portfolio of technological and scientific education programs that are tailored to the relevant needs of accredited laboratories," says E. Eugene Baillie, M.D., FASCP, president, ASCP.

"It is our hope that in the future, JCAHO surveyors could review the API proficiency testing results prior to survey, instead of searching for them on-site," says Joanne Born, executive director, Laboratory Program, JCAHO. "This enhancement would save time and enable more on-site discussion and education."