In order to provide quality diagnosis and better therapeutic outcomes, global leader in laboratory quality assurance - College of American Pathologists (CAP) and BD Diagnostics, a leading global medical technology company recently announced the launch of a new strategic alliance. The alliance will translate into more pathology labs in India providing high quality services at par with international standards.

The BD - CAP Strategic Alliance will improve access to external quality assurance and proficiency testing (PT) that can have a direct and positive impact on laboratory quality results. BD and CAP will also jointly provide education and training to improve awareness of global practice standards.

According to Stanley J Robboy, president CAP, “The clinical laboratory and pathology contribute more than 70 per cent of the information used to determine diagnoses and drive treatment decisions. Therefore countries around the world have heightened their focus on healthcare, patients and healthcare professionals to achieve higher quality across the entire spectrum of care.”

“CAP has the tools to help laboratories improve and monitor efforts that drive quality performance,” he added.

CAP’s Laboratory Accreditation, Surveys, PT programmes and other quality management resources combined with BD’s clinical knowledge of pre-analytical systems will help provide a comprehensive, expert based toolkit to help laboratories in India continuously improve the quality of the testing services. Labs in India can demonstrate their compliance to the most robust and comprehensive clinical laboratory testing standards in the world through participation in CAP accreditation.

Echoing similar views John Ledek, president, BD Diagnostics – pre-analytical systems said, “BD will offer extensive reach across the continuum of healthcare and laboratory testing operations, with an understanding of quality processes from both technical and clinical perspective. From pre-analytical specimen collection through post-analytical result reporting and interpretation, together, CAP and BD can provide more integrated laboratory quality improvement solutions that begin and end with the patient.”

Having operated in India since 1996 supporting public and private sector partners in enhancing laboratory standards, BD has extensive experience in deploying clinical expertise, educational resources and a deep understanding of the unique needs of laboratories in the country.

In India, of the 71 laboratories participating in CAP PT, 42 have achieved CAP-accreditation. BD’s access and logistics experience will support CAP PT importation and ensure more timely delivery and quality, reduce participants’ administrative work and allow billing in local currency. Market launch of this initiative has begun and PT distribution will be initiated in January 2014.