Barbados Reference Laboratory Gets Accreditation

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Barbados Reference Laboratory, which provides a diverse range of medical laboratory services, has been awarded accreditation by the Accreditation Committee of the prestigeous College of American Pathoologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent onsite inspection.

This is the first accreditation of its kind to be awarded a diagnostic reference laboratory in the English-speaking caribbean, by the College of American Pathologists.
The laboratory, whose Managing Director is Mr. Egbert Gibson, was establised in 1984 and provides services in clinical chemistry, microbioloby, immunology, haematology, molecular biology and cytology. The CAP Laboratory Accrediation Programme, which was started in the early 1960's, is recognized by the Fedreal Government in the United States as being equal to or more stringent than the government's own inspection programme.

Mr. Gibson, who was among the company's founders, commented, "We are naturally very proud of this accolade and recognition, which represents a significant achievement, not only for Barbados Reference Laboratory but also for the medical laboratory services industry of the English-speaking caribbean. I also wish to take this opportunity to thank our trained, dedicated and hard-working staff for the invaluable contribution they would have made in making this accreditation possible.

During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory's records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine staff qualifications, the laboratory's equipment, facilities, safety programme and record as well as the overall management of the laboratory.

This stringent inspection programme is especially designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients.