Opelousas General Health System Laboratory Receives Accreditation from College of American Pathologists

Pictured seated from left: Biannca Charles, Kayla Ducote, Tricia Bergeron, Renee Johnson and Julie Gauthier.  Pictured standing from left: Carlie Guidry, Brennen Duplantis, Brennan Thompson and Jerry Besson, Laboratory Director.

Opelousas, LA, 10/12/21 - The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded accreditation to Opelousas General Health System’s (OGHS) Laboratory based on results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the CAP’s Accreditation Programs.

The facility’s director, Chrissy Lalonde, M.D., was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided.OGHS’s Laboratory is one of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide.

“This accreditation demonstrates the commitment that our laboratory has toward quality patient care and excellence in leadership and innovation,” said Chrissy Lalonde, M.D.

“The CAP congratulates OGHS’s Laboratory on its recent CAP Accreditation,” said, Richard M. Scanlan, MD, FCAP, chair of the CAP’s Council on Accreditation. OGHS’s Laboratory is committed, as is the CAP, to the constant surveillance of laboratory quality for the benefit of the patient and the physician who treats the patient.”

The U.S. federal government recognizes the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, as being equal-to or more-stringent-than the government’s own inspection program.

During the CAP accreditation process, designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management.

About the College of American Pathologists

As the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. For more information, read the CAP Annual Report at cap.org.

About Opelousas General Health System: Since 1957, Opelousas General Health System has been dedicated to the provision of quality health care through its strong commitment and high standards. Central to the success of OGHS's commitment for excellence is the presence of an outstanding and highly qualified staff of physicians, nurses, technologists and other personnel who provide professional treatment in a caring environment. Serving as the region's referral medical center, OGHS is 197-bed, full service medical center, and the area's most comprehensive community health care facility offering a wide range of medical specialties and state-of-the-art technology. Visit us at www.opelousasgeneral.com