Contributed GOLD SEAL — Helping to ensure the laboratory at WVU Medicine Harrison Community Hospital continues to provide quality work are, from left, Jody Harris, medical laboratory technician; Courtney Birney, phlebotomy tech; and Shawn Meier, laboratory manager.

CADIZ — The WVU Medicine Harrison Community Hospital laboratory has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards.

The award is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care. The hospital’s laboratory underwent an unannounced onsite review on Dec. 13. During the visit, a team of commission reviewers evaluated compliance with laboratory standards spanning several areas, including environment of care, infection prevention and control.

“After a very thorough two-day inspection, the commission surveyor was very complimentary of our lab and the testing that we perform here,” said Shawn Meier, lab manager. “This is a testament to the dedication of our lab employees and the quality of the lab results that we provide for our patients.”

Standards used by the commission are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help health care organizations measure, assess and improve performance. The surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“As a health care accreditor, the commission works with health care organizations across settings to help improve patient safety and quality of care through our expert resources and tools, innovative solutions, and rigorous standards,” said Deborah Ryan, interim executive vice president of accreditation and certification operations for the commission. “We commend the WVU Medicine Harrison Community Hospital Laboratory for its commitment to advance safety and quality for all patients.”