Becomes the only forensic pathology practice in Pennsylvania to hold full accreditation
Lehigh Valley, PA (Sept. 13, 2016) — Forensic Pathology Associates (FPA) recently earned accreditation from the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) – an accomplishment that sets it apart from every other forensic practice (coroner or medical examiner) in the state. NAME accreditation is the highest level of acknowledgement of expertise afforded to a forensic pathology practice.
There are about 80 other NAME accredited offices located throughout the U.S. FPA Section Chief Samuel Land, MD said NAME accreditation, “demonstrates to the families and loved ones of the deceased that their personal tragedies are being handled with expertise, thoughtfulness, compassion, honesty and the highest level of integrity. The legal system also benefits in that NAME accreditation is indicative that we fulfill the standards of forensic pathology practice as set forth by our national (and international) peers.”
The process was long and laborious, according to Land. “There were about 400 standards of forensic pathology practice that we needed to fulfill. After preparation, we underwent a two-day physical inspection by a representative of the NAME Accreditation Committee,” he said. “Following that inspection we were granted provisional accreditation. Over the past year we corrected deficiencies and passed the second inspection, leading to full accreditation.”
According to NAME’s website, “its goal is to improve office or system performance through objective evaluation and constructive criticism. The inspector is the medical examiner’s peer and serves as a guest consultant to the office or system. NAME accreditation is an endorsement that the office or system provides an adequate environment for a medical examiner in which to practice his or her profession and provides reasonable assurances that the office or system well serves its jurisdiction. It is the objective of NAME that the application of these standards will aid materially in developing and maintaining a high caliber of medicolegal investigation of death for the communities and jurisdictions in which they operate. Accreditation is conferred for a period of five years.”
NAME inspectors who visited FPA said, “Forensic Pathology Associates, under the direction of Samuel Land, MD, functions at a high level. The work environment is professional and collegial. The services provided by their overarching company, Health Network Laboratories (HNL), are outstanding.”
FPA was founded more than 20 years ago to meet the needs of the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. HNL acquired FPA in 2010 as a complement to its multi-regional, full-service clinical diagnostic laboratory. FPA now serves an expanded area including more than 25 counties and hospitals in Pennsylvania.
About Health Network Laboratories Health Network Laboratories (HNL), headquartered in Allentown, Pa., has more than 45 Patient Service Centers (PSCs) conveniently located throughout central and eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. With a staff of 25 board-certified pathologists and scientific directors and more than 400 certified lab scientists and phlebotomists, HNL has been providing high quality, advanced laboratory diagnostic testing to its regional communities for more than 15 years. Find more information about HNL at healthnetworklabs.com. Follow us on facebook, Twitter, vimeo, and Linkedin.
