CAP releases new edition of Laboratory Accreditation Program Inspection Checklists

On October 6, 2005, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) released a new Checklist edition. With this edition, the CAP introduced two important changes, listed below, that will enhance the effectiveness of laboratory inspections. To view these changes, along with changes to other Checklists, visit the CAP website at http://www.cap.org.

New Checklist for Team Leaders

In October 2005, the CAP introduced a new Checklist specifically designed to place more emphasis on assessing the effectiveness of the laboratory director in implementing the laboratory's quality management plan and maintaining CAP accreditation standards.

The new Checklist, "Team Leader Assessment of Director & Quality," combines relevant Checklist questions from the Laboratory General Checklist with overarching questions to evaluate the qualifications and effectiveness of the laboratory director in fulfilling his/her responsibilities. The checklist also provides guidance in conducting the inspections and interviews.

To obtain the most relevant assessment, this tool must be completed by the team leader, who is typically in a similar role in a CAP-accredited institution.

Inspection Techniques in Checklists

At the beginning of each Checklist, the CAP now provides best practice guidelines and techniques that inspectors should use to elicit information during the inspection. These techniques include communication with bench-level personnel and direct observation of testing to ensure written policies and procedures reflect actual laboratory practice.

The techniques should be employed for all laboratory sections. The inspection team should plan sufficient time to thoroughly evaluate the laboratory using these techniques.

If you have any questions, please call the CAP at 800-323-4040 option #2, or e-mail them at accred@cap.org.