North Valley Hospital's laboratory was recently accredited by the College of American Pathologists.

The accreditation, which came after an on-site inspection and evaluation this spring, means the hospital's lab has exceeded the minimum requirements established by the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988.

"This is a major accomplishment, and the laboratory staff is to be commended," said Craig Aasved, North Valley administrator.

North Valley Hospital's lab employs 11 clinical laboratory scientists and two phlebotomists/laboratory assistants.

Nancy Smythe, clinical laboratory scientist, said the hospital lab performs a self-inspection every other year.

"We actually get an on-site inspection on the other years," she said.

As part of the team-managed lab, Smythe undertook preparation for accreditation. For a day and a half, an inspector examined all of the lab records, including those about lab specimens, processing and reporting results. Then the staff met to review the findings.

The resulting report includes deficits that need corrections, as well as recommendations that the lab isn't required to follow but typically does adopt, Smythe said.

"It's really great, because the inspector sees so many labs," she said. "It's been a good process."

Aasved called the College of American Pathologists' program the most respected in the world and the "gold standard" against which others are measured.

North Valley Hospital provides satellite laboratory services in Columbia Falls and Eureka. Additional lab services are provided to area naturopathic physicians, chiropractors, veterinarians, extended-care facilities and other area clinics.