The Pulmonary Function Laboratory of Danville Regional Medical Center has been awarded accreditation by the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent onsite inspection.
The laboratory underwent arterial blood gas and arterial lactic acid testing in particular during the recent CAP survey, according to Stacey Smith, director of Pulmonary and Neurodiagnostic Services at Danville Regional.
The arterial blood gas test measures the acidity and levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood from an artery. This test is used to monitor the lungs ability to move oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the blood.
The arterial lactic acid test, usually done on a blood sample taken from a vein in the arm, measures the level of lactic acid in the body mostly made by muscle tissue and red blood cells. Lactic acid levels get higher during strenuous exercise or when other conditions arise, such as heart failure, damaged liver, severe infection or reduced flow of blood throughout the body. Extremely high levels of lactic acid can cause a serious, sometimes life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis.
“During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years,” said Danville Regional CEO Eric Deaton.
CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, laboratory equipment, facilities and its safety program and record, in addition to the overall management of the laboratory. This rigorous inspection program is designed to specifically ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients, Deaton added.
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.
The laboratory director, Dr. William W. Henderson, IV, and registered respiratory care practitioners (RCPs) were pleased with the results of the recent CAP survey.
“This is a great achievement for our laboratory and all associates involved,” said Dr. Henderson. “I want to thank the pathologists who conducted the inspection. We will continue to comply with the College’s standards and guidelines and provide excellent service to our patients.”
The Pulmonary Function Laboratory is part of the Respiratory Care department at Danville Regional, but separate from the hospital’s main lab for CAP inspections. Staffed by three dedicated registered RCPs, the laboratory is labeled with its own Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) license number and has separate individual evaluations of all of its arterial blood gas and arterial lactic acid testing.
The Pulmonary Function Laboratory in- and out-patient testing also includes:
- Determining pulmonary function status of the lungs
- Aiding in diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary diseases
- Bronchial provocation testing, which helps identify the severity of non-specific bronchial hypersensitivity.
Danville Regional’s Pulmonary Function Laboratory is one of more than 7,000 CAP-accredited laboratories worldwide. The laboratory completes more than 450 pulmonary function tests and approximately between 11,000 and 12,000 arterial blood gas tests annually.
The College of American Pathologists is a medical society that serves more than 17,000 physician members and the laboratory community throughout the world. It is the world’s largest association composed exclusively for Board-certified pathologists and is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality assurance. The College is an advocate for high-quality and cost-effective patient care. More information about the College can be found at http://www.cap.org.
Danville Regional is the leading medical center in the Dan River Region of Virginia and North Carolina, providing open heart surgery, spinal surgery and advanced cancer treatment. Approximately 140 physicians are on the medical staff. The medical center employs approximately 1,200 people. For additional information, visit http://www.danvilleregional.com.
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