RUMFORD – The Rumford Hospital laboratory has been awarded accreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists.

CAP certification is the highest standard that a lab can maintain.

“It is even more rigorous than the state licensing standards and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations,” Rumford Hospital lab Manager Susan Dube said.

CAP inspectors examine the records and quality control of the laboratory for the preceding two years, as well as the education and qualifications of the staff.

They look at such criteria as the way tests are performed, making sure that the lab meets the standards required by the college.

The Accreditation Commission also studies the adequacy of the facilities and equipment, safety procedures and laboratory management to determine how well the lab is serving its patients.

The College of American Pathologists is a medical society serving nearly 16,000 physician members and laboratories throughout the world.

It is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality assurance.