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ALMH
laboratory receives
national accreditation
[FEB.
4, 2002] Based
on the results of a recent on-site inspection, the Commission on
Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists
awarded Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital laboratory an accreditation
with distinction. 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.
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To
be accredited by CAP, the lab must participate in blind sample
surveys. At different times of the year, every test that the
laboratory performs is tested several times. In addition to this
yearlong blind testing, the CAP sends a survey team to the lab every
two years to make sure that they are meeting all requirements. ALMH
scored high enough on both of these measures in the last two years to
receive the rank "with distinction."
Inspectors
examine quality control, education and qualifications of staff,
adequacy of facilities and equipment, and laboratory safety and
management to determine how well the lab is serving the patient. ALMH’s
lab is one of only 6,000 CAP-accredited laboratories nationwide. It is
not unusual for larger hospital laboratories to be CAP certified, but
few hospitals the size of ALMH have a CAP certified lab. "The CAP
is a very tough certifying agency," states Bill Wilson, ALMH’s
laboratory manager. "It requires a great deal of time and
resources to maintain the accreditation," added Wilson.
[to top of second
column in this article]
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The
College of American Pathologists is a medical society serving nearly
16,000 physician members and the laboratory community throughout the
world. It is the world’s largest association composed exclusively of
pathologists and is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality
assurance. The CAP is an advocate for high-quality and cost-effective
medical care.
For
more information regarding laboratory services at ALMH, please call
(217) 732-2161, Ext. 153.
[ALMH
news release]
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YMCA
PE for home-schoolers
[JAN.
30, 2002] Since
the fall of 2000, the Lincoln Area YMCA has been organizing a
physical education class for home-schooled children. This class
fulfills the physical fitness aspects of the children’s education,
while also encouraging social interaction with peers.
Each
week the participants learn about character development and are
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