Medical

Staff Sgt. Bardia Barmaki, 21st Medical Support Squadron medical laboratory craftsman, logs cytology specimens into a computer May 19 in Peterson’s medical laboratory. Sergeant Barmaki was on-hand during the 21st Medical Group’s May 5 and May 6 College of American Pathologists inspection where inspectors scrutinized more than 2,600 checklists and found only one minor discrepancy. Following the inspection, Peterson’s laboratory received full medical accreditation with “distinction.” (Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Ray Bowden)

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Shante Shinholster, 21st Medical Support Squadron medical laboratory technician, wrap parafilm around a cytology specimen container May 19 in Peterson’s medical laboratory. Parafilm is a thin material lab technicians use to protect and seal specimen containers that, due to weather changes, may expand or contract. Ms. Shinholster was on-hand during the 21st Medical Group’s May 5 and May 6 College of American Pathologists inspection where inspectors scrutinized more than 2,600 checklists and found only one minor discrepancy. Following the inspection, Peterson’s laboratory received full medical accreditation with “distinction.” (Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ray Bowden)

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Medical Inspection

Staff Sgt. Amy Bogue, 21st Medical Support Squadron medical laboratory craftsman, secures blood samples before placing them in the centrifuge machine May 19 in Peterson’s medical laboratory. The centrifuge is used to separate blood cells from plasma. Sergeant Bogue was on-hand during the 21st Medical Group’s May 5 and May 6 College of American Pathologists inspection where inspectors scrutinized more than 2,600 checklists and found only one minor discrepancy. Following the inspection, Peterson’s laboratory received full medical accreditation with “distinction.” (Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Ray Bowden)

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Peterson's medical labs draw top rating following inspection

Published May 18, 2009
By Master Sgt. Todd Norman
21st Medical Group Unit Public Affairs Representative

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo -- The 21st Medical Group laboratories at Peterson and Schriever were inspected by the College of American Pathologists May 5 and 6.

Between the two laboratories, the woman's health care clinic, and the pharmacy, more than 2,600 checklists were scrutinized by the team of inspectors who identified only one minor finding which was corrected on-the-spot.

Peterson's laboratory received full accreditation with "distinction" and has now become part of an impressive group of more than 6,000 laboratories worldwide that have met the highest standards of excellence.

"It is very rare to conduct an inspection of this magnitude and only have one minor, correctable finding, as was the case with the 21st Medical Group," said Jean Hood, College of American Pathologists inspector.

The mission of the 21st MDG laboratory service is to "provide accurate and timely diagnostic testing based on scientific examination of body fluids and tissue specimens, and provide blood products needed to support medical care during peace and wartime operations." More than 100,000 patients between Peterson and Schriever are seen each year and more than 170,000 tests are performed.

"I couldn't be more proud of the medical team," said Col. John Sell, 21st MDG commander. "They definitely hit a home run with this inspection."

The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program is internationally recognized and the only program of its kind that utilizes teams of laboratory professionals as inspectors in order to help laboratories achieve the highest standards of excellence to positively impact patient care.

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Medical Inspection