College of American Pathologists lauds Ellsworth lab

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Steven D. Wilson
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. (AFPN) --  Officials from the College of American Pathologists recently accredited the medical laboratory here after a thorough inspection, examining everything from needles and giant rubber bands to each of the more than 1,000 processes involved in maintaining a lab.

"(The inspectors) actually go through each and every one of our records to make sure we're doing things right," said Maj. Lynn Padilla, 28th Medical Group laboratory chief.

This accreditation by the college should not be taken lightly, Major Padilla said.

"Both military and civilian (labs) go through this accreditation," she said. "Basically, what it means for Ellsworth folks is the quality of lab testing they get here is of the same quality they'd get downtown."

Major Padilla said the accreditation occurs every two years and that keeps her laboratory technicians busy as they are constantly looking for ways to improve how they do business.

This arduous inspection raises the stakes for some already busy Airmen.

"Our (laboratory) techs here do more than most techs do," Major Padilla said. "They draw blood, prepare samples for shipment for reference laboratories and do in-house things like cholesterol (screening) and some micro-biology as well.

"We probably see around 50 to 70 customers per day."

Taking care of the customers is just the beginning for the technicians here.

"(Lab technicians) help with quality-control reviews and are actively involved with end-of-the-month procedures," she said.

Despite working in a very busy laboratory, the importance of the accreditation was not lost on the personnel who work there daily.

Airman 1st Class Danielle Woodcock, 28th Medical Support Squadron medical laboratory technician, said, "I learned a lot about my job (from the accreditation process) that I didn't know before," she said.

Major Padilla explained that while she is still awaiting the official notification of the medical laboratory's accreditation, she does know the inspector was very impressed with the facility and the processes she and her staff have in place.

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