ACM Global Central Laboratory, the US-headquartered laboratory testing operation that last month raised its European profile by acquiring long-time UK ally Pivotal Laboratories, has formed a partnership to provide central lab services in China at Beijing’s United Family Hospitals (UHF).
United Family Hospitals and Clinics is a network of private primary-care hospitals and affiliated ambulatory clinics run in China by Chindex International, a US-based company that also supplies medical equipment, instrumentation and products to the Chinese market.
According to Chindex, UFH is the only western-funded hospital laboratory in Beijing and the only hospital in China to be accredited by both Joint Commission International (JCI) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP).
JCI is the international division of Joint Commission Resources, a US-based expert resource for healthcare organisation. The international arm works to improve the safety of patient care outside the US by providing accreditation, certification and other services. CAP certification aims to lift the quality of pathology and laboratory services through education, standard-setting and ensuring laboratories meet or exceed regulatory requirements.
“Given the challenges of exporting whole blood from mainland China, coupled with the demand for conducting trials in China, we recognised the importance of establishing services locally,” commented Elena Logan, vice president, ACM Global Central Laboratory. “We also refuse to compromise on quality, and working with Chindex helps us maintain our rigorous service standards in an exciting developing market.”
ACM’s central laboratory network now extends to more than 60 countries, taking in the Americas, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Russia, Australia, Asia, Israel, South Africa and India.
