College of American Pathologists (CAP)

Proficiency testing and external quality assessment programs - surveys are the College of American Pathologists collective of proficiency testing (pt) and external quality assessment (eqa) programs designed for laboratories to meet regulatory requirements and provide a comprehensive view of their laboratory quality process. The cap provides the most extensive offering of innovative and scientifically developed pt/eqa programs with over 700 programs across 16 disciplines. These programs are developed and supported by over 500 experts in laboratory medicine across 27 cap scientific committees. These experts spend countless hours monitoring testing trends to keep the cap offering contemporary and relevant as well as provide peer-reviewed ce, cme and sams to increase and sharpen enrollee's skills. The cap helps support laboratory professionals worldwide deliver accurate test results for better patient outcomes. Over 23,000 laboratory sites in 110 countries participate in cap's surveys programs.

Learning - the cap is the leading resource for information and education in the practice and science of pathology and laboratory medicine. Leading medical and scientific experts develop the learning content on standards, best practices, and innovation in test selection, disease diagnosis, and patient therapies. The cap offers more than 580 courses across 50 specialty and professional topic areas to help members and laboratory professionals stay up to date, learn new skills, meet their continuing certification (cc) requirements, and manage their businesses. The cap continues to provide education programs that build and maintain the competencies of Pathologists and laboratory professionals. This includes in-depth progams that allow Pathologists to develop knowledge and skill in specific areas of practice such as laboratory medical management. As well as the competency assessment hub (cah) which presents opportunities for laboratory professionals to test their knowledge in 11 different laboratory disciplines as well as lab specific safety and compliance courses. The cah helps the laboratory satisfy clia requirements. Education courses are available in a variety of engaging and interactive formats, including live workshops, online courses, audio and web conferences, case based education and bite-sized learning delivered via the mycapapp. Education is responsible for developing and coordinating over 390 cme courses available via these various formats on an annual basis.

Laboratory accreditation - the cap laboratory accreditation program is an internationally recognized program based on the cap laboratory accreditation standards. Our standards are supported by approximately 2,800 checklist requirements where a signficant portion of our requirements exceed the requirements of the centers for medicare and medicaid services (cms), as well as those of other national and state regulatory bodies. The laboratory accreditation program uses a comprehensive approach to incorporate compliance assessment and process improvement as an ongoing collaboration between cap and laboratory staff to promote optimal performance. The cap's accreditation expertise promotes continuous quality improvement, enabling the laboratory to provide the highest available level of patient care and ensure patient safety.