Evergreen Healthcare Laboratory Earns Accreditation and National Recognition

KIRKLAND, Wash., Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Evergreen Healthcare today announced that its main hospital campus Laboratory Services has earned national recognition and accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for its high standards of excellence that positively impact the quality of patient care.  

To earn the accreditation, Evergreen successfully completed CAP's stringent inspection program, which is designed to specifically ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients.  Teams of practicing laboratory officials inspect a complete array of disciplines and testing procedures, including the laboratory's records and quality control procedures for the preceding two years, staff qualifications, equipment, facilities and safety program, as well as overall laboratory management.

"We are proud to become part of CAP's worldwide network of laboratories that adhere to the highest standards of excellence," said Dr. Kenneth Meckler, Evergreen Hospital Medical Center laboratory director.  "Quality patient care and safety is at the center of Evergreen's laboratory operations, and achieving accreditation through the CAP program helps us demonstrate these high standards for clinical testing and overall patient experience."

Evergreen provides a full range of vital medical laboratory tests and services, including microbiology, pathology, general laboratory testing, point-of-care testing and phlebotomy from its main hospital campus in Kirkland, Wash.  Evergreen partners with the Puget Sound Institute of Pathology to provide pathology services and results and is a member of PacLab Network Laboratories, which operates in conjunction with several local hospitals.

In addition to its main hospital campus lab location, Evergreen provides laboratory services through its network of Eastside clinical locations in Kirkland, Redmond, Woodinville and Bothell.  For a full listing of locations and hours please visit www.evergreenhealthcare.org/lab.

The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program is an internationally recognized program and the only one of its kind that utilizes teams of practicing laboratory professionals as inspectors.  Designed to go well beyond regulatory compliance, the program helps laboratories achieve the highest standards of excellence to positively impact patient care.

To learn more about Evergreen Hospital, visit www.evergreenhealthcare.org, or simply call the 24-hour Evergreen Healthline at 425.899.3000.  

About Evergreen Healthcare

Evergreen Healthcare, a public hospital district and community-based health care organization established in 1972, offers a breadth of services and programs that is among the most comprehensive in the region. More than 950 physicians provide clinical excellence within more than 80 specialties including  cardiac, oncology, and surgical care, orthopedics, a Neuroscience Institute, Women's and Children's services, hospice care, pulmonary care, a Sleep Disorders Center and Home Health services care.  Evergreen serves more than 400,000 residents in its primary service area of northern King and southern Snohomish counties with Evergreen Medical Group, a network of primary and urgent care practices, and Evergreen Hospital Medical Center, its main hospital campus in Kirkland, Wash. Evergreen also provides emergency care at two sites; its main hospital campus and the Evergreen Redmond Medical Center.  In addition to clinical care, Evergreen offers extensive community health outreach and education programs, anchored by Evergreen Healthline, a 24/7 nurse consultation service.  For more information, visit www.evergreenhealthcare.org.

CONTACTS:

Kay Taylor
VP of Marketing
Evergreen Healthcare
425.899.2604

Kristi Clough
Firmani + Associates Inc.
206.443.9357
[email protected]

SOURCE Evergreen Healthcare