Medical lab receives 'outstanding' rating

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Darlene Seltmann
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Members of the 56th Medical Support Squadron medical laboratory received an "Outstanding" rating during a recent major inspection.

During the day-and-a-half-long inspection conducted by the College of American Pathologists, the laboratory was inspected on more than 2,000 items. This included things like phlebotomy, quality control, maintenance standards and training.

The College of American Pathologists is the world's largest association composed of certified pathologists leading in laboratory quality assurance. Each laboratory gets inspected every two years on their compliance to regulations, procedures and standards.

"According to the inspector, we were among the top 1 to 2 percent of the last 100 laboratories he had inspected," said Staff Sgt. Regina Denman, 56th MDSS NCO-in-charge of chemistry.

The team of 18 lab personnel impressed the inspector with their job knowledge and their overall professional manner.  "The inspector was impressed with the fact we were more than willing to help him out," Denman said. "He said he could ask anyone and receive direct answers."

Quality isn't something they practice on inspection days only.  The lab's attention to detail throughout the year is obvious from the inspection results.

"This is not an inspection that we can prep for," said Master Sgt. Christine Wagner, 56th MDSS clinical laboratory flight chief. "These are our daily standards."

Being 100-percent compliant requires everyone to do their part every day, according to Maj. Darnell Walker, 56th MDSS clinical laboratory flight commander.

"I was really just proud of the overall teamwork."