82d MDG Laboratory receives "excellent" rating after inspection Published April 17, 2024 By Senior Airman Katie McKee 82d TRW Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 82nd Medical Group Laboratory recently earned an “excellent” rating for the third consecutive inspection with zero deficiencies reported. The College of American Pathologists conduct the inspection to evaluate laboratory practices. This inspection carried added significance as it coincided with settling into a new facility and new healthcare system, MHS GENESIS. The 82nd Medical Group laboratory staff take a group photo on Feb. 2, 2024, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. The laboratory recently earned an “excellent” rating for the third consecutive inspection with zero deficiencies reported. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katie McKee) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res To prepare for this inspection, the team reviews a checklist containing thousands of questions to identify whether they would pass and meet CAP’s standards. “This was the first inspection in this facility, and it came with a lot of obstacles,” said Curtis Lewis, quality assurance manager and scientist supervisor. “We had new staff, a new healthcare system and had to update the records to a digital system. This success shows how proficient we are and how we handle our work.” Once the lab moved into the new Medical Group, Tech. Sgt. Jonisha Gibson, Flight Chief, knew they were in a crucial time crunch. Gibson and Lewis built an electronic competency program to show CAP how they document and track training to ensure quality lab results are provided on a day-to-day basis. A vial of blood is analyzed by the clinical chemistry analyzer at the 82nd Medical Group laboratory on Feb. 2, 2024, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. The laboratory recently earned an “excellent” rating for the third consecutive inspection with zero deficiencies reported. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katie McKee) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “Receiving this rating felt like a weight was lifted off our shoulders,” said Gibson. “You have to prepare, prepare, prepare and then self-evaluate your team. When CAP arrives, they are looking hard to find gaps in our procedures and administrative processes. For them to not have found a single deficiency, it shows how great our staff is. I give all the credit to the team.” As CAP will continue to inspect the 82nd MDG Lab once every two years, Lewis and Gibson hope they can continue to lead their team to success as they reflect on what has worked for their team over the past few years. “The inspector was amazed at how well we did and said this is only the second time in 40 years she’s given a grading of zero deficiencies with zero recommendations, and that’s because we have a strong team behind us,” said Lewis. “We really came together to put the mission first. Even with the obstacles and being short-staffed, look at what we’ve been able to accomplish.”