The Joint Commission appointed John D. Cochran, MD, FCAP, to clinical director of the Laboratory Services Accreditation program.
In this role, Dr. Cochran will be a peer contact for laboratory directors and pathologies, as well as represent The Joint Commission at annual meetings and conferences. Dr. Cochran has been a surveyor for The Joint Commission since 2011 and has a background as a laboratory pathologist and director.
Dr. Cochran will also lead the newly-formed Pathology Advisory Committee to develop and refine accreditation requirements so anatomic pathology concerns are well-represented in standards and surveys as clinical pathology.
"The main goal of this new position is to develop awareness among my pathology colleagues that The Joint Commission is in the business of accrediting labs and ensuring that quality diagnostic care is given to patients," said Dr. Cochran. "As a lab developer, practice owner and Joint Commission surveyor, I was in a unique position to walk into these duties. I understand how labs become accredited, what value it has for them and why The Joint Commission should be the choice of every lab."