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CAP Accreditation for Orlando Dermatology Lab

February 26, 2025

During a skin care checkup, a clinician may perform a skin biopsy if a mole, rash or lesion appears unusual. Typically, this involves numbing an area with a local anesthetic and removing a small skin sample, which is then analyzed in a laboratory certified by the College of American Pathologists.

Associates in Dermatology initially received CAP lab accreditation in 2015 for providing the highest level of anatomic pathology and dermatopathology services, and the lab has always met the stringent requirements for continued renewal.

“Our dermatopathologist relies on CAP laboratory analyses to help determine the most appropriate treatment plan,” says Dr. Michael Steppie, Orlando Style-named Doctors of the Year 2025 and medical director of Associates in Dermatology. “Pathology is an integral part of dermatology as it allows for the further examination of questionable tissue samples to accurately diagnose diseases and monitor ongoing treatments. Additionally, by explaining the results of your report, it helps to ensure that you better understand your treatment options.”

CAP-accredited labs maintain strict quality standards that are essential for diagnosing conditions like skin cancer, inflammatory infections and autoimmune disorders, as well as more common skin issues. These labs provide valuable insights about abnormal or damaged tissue with specific diagnosis of the lesion, such as psoriasis, actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, or other atypical findings. In addition to clinical concerns, dermatologists also address cosmetic conditions like hair loss or skin scarring by offering personalized care.

What is the difference between CLIA and CAP labs?

CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) and CAP (College of American Pathologists) certifications are essential for maintaining high standards for diagnostics in clinical laboratories. CLIA was established by Congress in 1988 and sets national quality standards for laboratory testing performed on human specimens like blood, body fluids, and tissue. Laboratories must obtain a CLIA certificate to fulfill federal requirements, which safeguard patient health by minimizing errors that could lead to misdiagnosis.

These accreditations ensure laboratories deliver accurate and reliable test results, which are crucial for proper patient diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases. CLIA tests are categorized into three levels of complexity (waived, moderate, and high) to ensure appropriate testing standards are applied. Plus accredited facilities are staffed with trained clinical professionals who can perform a spectrum of laboratory disciplines efficiently and safely, whether it’s analyzing skin biopsies, blood components, or bodily fluids.

Generally speaking, a CAP-accredited laboratory surpasses the foundational requirements established by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. The standards established by the College of American Pathologists offer an advanced framework for continuous improvement in overall lab operations and goes above and beyond CLIA, which does ensure a lab meets our national standards. Together, these certifications uphold the integrity and quality of diagnostic testing across in the United States.

How Labs Work Directly with Dermatologists

“Dermatopathology is a medical specialty that combines dermatology and pathology,” explains Dr. Steppie. “In addition to holding a medical degree, they are required to complete a subspecialty in dermapathology. Although they do not directly work with the patient, they play a crucial role as part of a patient’s healthcare team. Their ability to analyze clinical samples taken during biopsies combined with their broad knowledge of medical dermatology allows them to share technical findings and medical conclusions with the dermatologist.”

Indeed dermatology and dermatopathology share a vital connection, ensuring accurate diagnoses and effective treatments for patients, especially when it comes to managing skin cancers. A CAP-accredited lab dermatopathologists, who specialize in analyzing skin biopsy samples, will work closely with a dermatologist to deliver detailed microscopic evaluations. These lab results adhere to strict quality assurance standards set by the College of American Pathologists and running an efficient lab requires this dedicated, collaborative effort.

The entire CAP-accredited lab team plays a crucial role in delivering accurate results within acceptable turnaround times. Lab technicians maintain the latest test equipment, skilled dermapathologists interpret slides, and administrative personnel ensure seamless workflows. Thanks to advancements in digital pathology, diagnostic results and high-quality images are more quickly transferred to a patient’s electronic medical records to eliminate delays. In addition, these digital results are easier to search, share, and review on tablets.

Consistent communication with a CAP-accredited lab about case statuses, transportation issues, or specimen requirements has helped to streamline the diagnostic process for the dermatologist or Mohs skin cancer surgeon. Moreover, timely and accurate results not only enhance operational efficiency, but they also significantly benefit overall patient care. By proactively identifying bottlenecks in transportation, reporting and workflow, it has fostered a more seamless collaboration between the laboratory and the clinician.

Two-Year CAP Lab Accreditation Cycle

The College of American Pathologists offers a rigorous Laboratory Accreditation Program designed to uphold the highest standards in laboratory testing and patient care. To achieve accreditation, laboratories must meet strict regulatory requirements, such as those from CLIA, FDA, and OSHA, and be appropriately licensed where required. The program involves a two-year cycle, featuring a thorough on-site inspection conducted by CAP-assigned inspection teams, followed by a self-inspection in alternate years.

CAP-accredited laboratories span a wide range of lab testing disciplines. This includes methodologies for human or animal species. The foundation of the accreditation program lies in CAP’s scientifically rigorous checklists, which serve as both a preparation tool for laboratories and a framework for inspectors to use when evaluating a lab’s compliance and quality. These requirements include:

Personnel – CAP requires lab personnel to meet certain educational requirements and training to perform different complexity levels of testing. High complexity testing personnel are required to have an associate degree in a medical technology or laboratory science. Moderately complex testing personnel must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Training - All testing personnel must have completed initial training on all applicable instruments and methods. In addition, a CAP-accredited laboratory must keep documentation that all personnel have completed initial training on all the instruments and methods that are specifically required for their job.
Quality management - Laboratories must have a comprehensive quality management system. This includes elements like documented procedures, staff training, proficiency testing, quality control measures, improvement initiatives, proper specimen handling, and communications that validate the safety and quality of provided services.
External quality assurance - Laboratories must undergo proficiency testing to establish quality. This external quality assurance is aimed at ensuring high-quality and reliable laboratory results that essentially exceed the basic national standards by incorporating stricter criteria compared to other accreditation programs like CLIA.
Documentation - Laboratories must have key documents and processes, including a chemical hygiene plan, QMS, test method validation, and records verification. This includes thorough record keeping of quality control data, equipment maintenance logs, and documentation of deviations or corrective actions taken for all lab operations.
Education and training - Laboratories must provide ongoing education and training for staff members and must document all testing that personnel have completed on all instruments and methods. Labs also must participate in a CAP-approved proficiency testing program and staff must receive ongoing education and training, including licensing to perform testing.
Subspecialty accreditation - Laboratories must obtain subspecialty accreditation for certain disciplines, which includes additional criteria beyond standard accreditation. This includes specialized proficiency testing, detailed staff qualifications, and rigorous quality control procedures to the subspecialty area the lab is to be accredited in.
Licensing – Laboratories seeking CAP accreditation must be appropriately licensed to perform testing at their location as required by law. Specific staff licensing requirements depend on the testing complexity based on the type of testing the staff member performs. CAP accreditation often goes beyond basic CLIA requirements by demanding higher qualifications.

CAP’s accreditation process is powered by over 50 years of pathology expertise, with annual updates to reflect advancements in technology and current practices. CAP tools are accessible through the e-LAB Solutions Suite for participating laboratories, while non-accredited facilities can purchase them separately.

CAP Accreditation for Associates in Dermatology Lab

CAP Accreditation Readiness Assessment is an on-site, high-level evaluation of a laboratory’s key policies and processes that is conducted by an experienced CAP inspector. With its voluntary nature, the CAP program not only ensures stellar compliance but also fosters a commitment of excellence in patient care worldwide. Today, the College of American Pathologists accredits more than 8,000 laboratories in over 50 countries. The accreditation process also helps labs stay in compliance with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations.

Any test worth doing is worth doing well with same quality assurance mechanisms to ensure consistent delivery of accurate, effective results in a physically safe environment. - CAP Philosophy

CAP accreditation is a key tool in helping to save the lives of skin cancer patients throughout Florida and beyond. If you or a loved one is facing this potentially deadly disease, rest assured that having a dermatologist or Mohs surgeon working directly with a CAP-accredited lab facility means you’re in the best of hands when it comes to the removal of affected areas of skin tissue and your ongoing dermatologic medical care. To learn more about Associates in Dermatology’s CAP Accreditation read our media release.

For Immediate Release

_{February 10,2025}

"Associates in Dermatology Lab

Receives Accreditation from

College of American Pathologists"

The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) awarded accreditation to Orlando’s Associates in Dermatology lab based on results of a recent on-site review conducted by CAP inspectors. The inspection team included practicing pathology and laboratory medicine professionals. Recognized for rigorous and robust standards, CAP accreditation elevates quality and mitigates risk, so laboratories can continue to contribute to improved patient outcomes.

“The CAP is pleased to recognize Associates in Dermatology as meeting the high standard set as part of the CAP’s Laboratory Accreditation Program,” said Richard M. Scanlan, MD, FCAP, chair of the CAP’s Council on Accreditation. ”Associates in Dermatology’s Kissimmee laboratory joins the thousands of others that are committed to raising the quality of laboratory services nationally and internationally.”

Congratulations from the College of American Pathologists to the pathology and laboratory medicine team for this significant accomplishment that further demonstrates the commitment to high-quality patient care at Associates in Dermatology, which is Orlando’s growing network of dermatology clinics currently serving sixteen Central Florida communities.

With over 23,000 laboratory participants, in addition to accreditation, the CAP offers proficiency testing/external quality assessment programs, quality improvement tools, and protocols and guidelines to ensure excellence in all areas across the laboratory. Built on a foundation of pathologist expertise, the College of American Pathologists partners with laboratories worldwide to elevate the quality of laboratory medicine with best-in-class solutions designed to drive operational excellence, achieve diagnostic confidence, and ensure the best patient care.

“Our lab’s CAP accreditation is well deserved,” said Associates in Dermatology Medical Director, Dr. Michael Steppie. “Our staff works hard to ensure our laboratory provides the highest level of anatomic pathology and dermatopathology services for our patients across Central Florida.” Associates in Dermatology is a full-service dermatology group with sixteen Central Florida locations offering services in general dermatology, skin cancer detection and treatment, Mohs surgery, aesthetics, and management of skin allergies.

About the College of American Pathologists

As the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. For more information, visit CAP.org or the CAP Newsroom.

CAP Contact Information

College of American Pathologists 325 Waukegan Road, Northfield, IL 60093 US - (media@cap.org)

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