Health Network Laboratories (HNL), Allentown, Pa, has earned the Certificate of Laboratory Accreditation in Forensic Toxicology from the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT). Fewer than 40 labs in North America have received ABFT accreditation.
ABFT is a nonprofit organization recognized by professional societies, including the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the Society of Forensic Toxicologists, which certifies toxicologists and accredits laboratories performing forensic toxicology.
To achieve this accreditation, HNL underwent a rigorous onsite inspection, including verification of the academic and professional qualifications of the laboratory’s management team, personnel training, specimen handling, analytical procedures, and quality assurance program.
“This accreditation is a great accomplishment for the toxicology laboratory staff at HNL,” says Dean Fritch, PhD, technical director of toxicology for HNL. “It further validates our technical expertise in the field of forensic sciences and allows HNL to continue to grow and provide these valuable services to healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, medical examiners, and coroners throughout the Northeast.”
In addition, HNL’s toxicology department is accredited and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) to perform drug and alcohol testing in blood and body fluids for both clinical and forensic purposes. The ABFT accreditation is voluntary and adds an esteemed third-party validation of forensic toxicology quality.
“ABFT is comprised of well-respected and experienced forensic toxicologists, and we are honored that this organization recognizes the high-quality work done by our team here at HNL,” says Shannon Clarke, manager of clinical operations for toxicology at HNL. “Our staff is a team of dedicated professionals who work diligently to provide high-quality, unbiased services with the utmost integrity.”
For more information, visit Health Network Laboratories.
