Don't forget to check state laws regulating laboratories.  Retention times may differ from the CAP checklist, and you will have to be in compliance with maximum requested.  For example.....CAP requires a 2 year retention for records/procedures.  The state of California requires 3 years.  (This includes QC,QA, PM records, Invoices for reagents, equipment, etc.)

JCAHO may have different requirements so it depends on your accreditation choice, and Federal, and State laws.  

Marilyn Gamble
Quality Assurance Coordinator, Cellular Pathology 
Regional Reference Laboratory, Sherman Way 
(818) 503-7029, tieline 397 
E-mail:  Marilyn.S.Gamble@kp.org