• The CAP signed a memorandum of understanding with the CDC to provide assistance and expertise with diagnostic surge testing during public health emergencies.

WASHINGTON – The College of American Pathologists (CAP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide assistance and expertise with diagnostic surge testing during public health emergencies.

Based on experiences with the current COVID-19 pandemic and other disease outbreaks, the CDC values partnerships between public and private sectors to support a significant increase in demand for diagnostic testing during a public health emergency. Under the memorandum, the CAP will collaborate with the CDC and other partners and government agencies to support surge testing capacity when public health emergencies and emerging public health threats arise.

“Pathologists have been on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis, responsible for developing and selecting new test methodologies, validating, and approving testing for patient use, and expanding the testing capabilities of the communities they serve to meet urgent and evolving needs,” said CAP President Emily Volk, MD, FCAP. “The CAP has actively engaged with government agencies to lend its expertise on diagnostic testing issues throughout this pandemic. We now welcome the opportunity to formalize a partnership with the CDC and other government agencies to ensure the patients we serve in communities across the United States have access to the tests they need during public health emergencies.”

As part of the agreement, the CAP will serve as a communications hub between CAP member experts, CAP committees, and entities participating in the MOU. The CAP will leverage its accredited laboratories to assist external surge testing capacity. The CAP will also collect capability data from accredited laboratories to identify those with the capacity to support a national response, including community-based testing for vulnerable patient communities.

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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. As a 501(c)(6) membership organization, the CAP is the only entity representing pathologists with unrestricted advocacy capability and a political action committee, PathPAC. For more information, visit yourpathologist.org to watch pathologists at work and see the stories of the patients who trust them with their care. Read the CAP Annual Report.