NJ Sharing Network Lab Earns Prestigious Accreditation

The Transplant Laboratory of NJ Sharing Network, headquartered in New Providence, has earned accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) following a recent on-site inspection. The credential recognizes the lab's expertise, quality standards, and commitment to excellence in transplant medicine.

CAP is the world's largest organization of board-certified pathologists and a leading provider of laboratory accreditation programs. Its inspectors evaluate laboratory records, quality control procedures, staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety programs, and overall management. NJ Sharing Network's lab now joins more than 8,500 laboratories accredited by CAP worldwide.

"The CAP accreditation is an important recognition of the expertise, dedication and commitment to excellence demonstrated by our Transplant Laboratory team," said Sharyn Sawczak, RN, BSHCA, CPTC, CTBS, Chief Administrative Officer of NJ Sharing Network. "In transplantation, every test plays an important role in the journey of a donor and patient, and accurate, timely results are essential to helping our transplant partners make informed decisions."

The laboratory operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing specialized histocompatibility testing that supports organ and tissue transplants for both deceased and living donors and recipients. The lab performs HLA typing, antibody screening and identification, crossmatching, ABO testing, and pre- and post-transplant evaluation for highly sensitized patients.

The scope of the lab's work is significant. In 2025, the laboratory completed more than 58,000 tests supporting transplant decisions across the state. Union County Life has been covering healthcare and community health initiatives in the region, and this accreditation reflects the critical infrastructure supporting transplant patients throughout New Jersey.

NJ Sharing Network is a federally designated nonprofit that partners with 56 local hospitals across the state. More than three million New Jerseyans are registered as organ and tissue donors, and more than 3,000 New Jersey residents are currently awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant. Nationally, that figure exceeds 100,000, according to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.

One organ donor can save up to eight lives, and one tissue donor can enhance the lives of more than 75 people. The Transplant Laboratory's accurate testing is essential to matching and supporting these lifesaving transplants.

FAQ

What is the College of American Pathologists and why is CAP accreditation important?
CAP is the world's largest organization of board-certified pathologists and a leading provider of laboratory accreditation programs. CAP accreditation recognizes that a laboratory meets rigorous standards for quality, safety, and expertise. For a transplant lab, accurate testing is essential to matching donors and recipients and ensuring successful outcomes.

What does NJ Sharing Network's Transplant Laboratory do?
The lab operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing specialized testing for organ and tissue transplants. Services include HLA typing, antibody screening, crossmatching, ABO testing, and evaluations for highly sensitized patients. These tests support both deceased and living donor transplants.

How many tests does the lab perform?
In 2025, NJ Sharing Network's Transplant Laboratory completed more than 58,000 tests supporting transplant decisions across New Jersey.

What is NJ Sharing Network?
NJ Sharing Network is a federally designated nonprofit organization that partners with 56 local hospitals across New Jersey. It coordinates organ and tissue donation and transplantation to help patients waiting for lifesaving transplants.

How many New Jerseyans are waiting for an organ transplant?
More than 3,000 New Jersey residents are currently awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant. Nationally, that figure exceeds 100,000.

How many people are registered as donors in New Jersey?
More than three million New Jerseyans are registered as organ and tissue donors.

How many lives can one donor save?
One organ donor can save up to eight lives. One tissue donor can enhance the lives of more than 75 people.