Hilton Head Island, SC – October 13, 2004 - The Laboratory at Hilton Head Regional Medical Center recently earned the Joint Commission’s National Quality Approval and accreditation based upon analysis of the laboratory’s Evidence of Standards Compliance.

The Joint Commission survey is a system process that reviews integration of functional standards. The standards guide laboratories through such CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) requirements as proficiency testing and quality control and also assist laboratories in planning and implementation for such issues as safety, management of information and performance improvement. These standards are performance focused and applicable to any clinical laboratory setting, including Point of Care Testing.

The standards can assist laboratories with risk reduction strategies and cost savings. Additionally, hospital nursing staff who may perform Point of Care Testing, will already be familiar with many of the standards applied to leadership and performance improvement

Hilton Head Regional Medical Center’s accreditation is for a period of two years from June 12, 2004.