Genzyme Corporation announced today that its genetic testing laboratory located in Phoenix, Arizona, has obtained the CAP 15189SM Accreditation to the International Standards Organization 15189:2007 Standard for laboratories from the College of American Pathologists. This accreditation recognizes the laboratory’s technical competence and continual quality management and underscores Genzyme’s commitment to improved patient outcomes by providing reliable test results.
The College of American Pathologists offers laboratories the opportunity to be measured against the quality standards outlined by the International Organization of Standardization. The College of American Pathologists rigorously assessed Genzyme’s quality management systems over the course of a full year before awarding it the CAP 15189 designation.
“Achieving this accreditation demonstrates our commitment to achieving superior quality standards and delivering overall operational excellence,” said Jon Hart, senior vice president and general manager of Genzyme Genetics, the business unit of Genzyme Corporation focused on complex testing services for pathology, oncology, reproductive and genetic medicine. “Going through the rigorous and extensive accreditation process has allowed us to mitigate risk and continually provide highly accurate test results to physicians and patients nationwide.”
“Although the 15189 Standard is not currently mandated in the United States, CAP believes that laboratories that strive to be in the top tenth percentile in quality will benefit from seeking this standard and the College is proud to make it available to American laboratories,” said Cordelia Sever, MD, FCAP, chair of the CAP 15189 Committee.
Genzyme expects to pursue CAP 15189 accreditation in all of its genetic testing laboratories located throughout the United States.