May 15, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The clinical laboratory at the Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has been awarded accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) based on the results of a recent onsite inspection.

Joyce Horn, the laboratory's director, says the CAP cited the laboratory for the excellence of the services being provided. The Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital clinical laboratory is one of nearly 7,000 CAP-accredited laboratories nationwide.

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 the entire staff's qualifications, the laboratory's equipment, facilities, safety program and record, as well as the overall management of the laboratory. This stringent inspection program is designed to specifically ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients.

About Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital

The Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital is the state's only vision-specialty hospital, equipped with the only 24 hour, seven-day-a-week eye emergency department in Alabama. It is a leader in patient care, education and vision research.

About CAP

The College of American Pathologists is a medical society that serves more than 17,000 physician members and the laboratory community throughout the world. It is the world's largest association composed exclusively of pathologists and is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality assurance.