To ensure that your CLIA/COLA compliance-driven laboratory is running effectively, it is essential to perform a competency assessment of your staff and implement effective management systems. These include establishing a maintenance schedule and ensuring the quality of pre-analytical and clinical validations.
Accreditation programs
When maintaining a CLIA/cola compliance hazard KY driven laboratory, several processes need to be followed. These include the application process, initial and periodic inspections, and renewals. All of these protocols must be correctly implemented to maintain the safety and quality of your patients’ testing.
One of the most critical processes is the initial assessment of your lab’s testing personnel.
Pre-analytic errors
Pre-analytical errors occur during many parts of the testing process. These include specimen collection, identification, transport, request completion, and sample preparation. Many of these can have a significant impact on a test’s accuracy.
However, a laboratory must have an accurate and reliable testing program to avoid these mishaps. One way to achieve this is through proficiency testing. The process is designed to verify the laboratory’s testing personnel’s competency independently.
A proficiency test requires the laboratory to evaluate its performance on unknown samples. There are several strategies for accomplishing this. Some use patient samples, while others use commutable samples. In addition, there are some differences in how each PT analyte is tested.
According to one study, the best PT system has a robust way of identifying outliers. It could require a small peer group, which would be tricky. It also has to make the most of the information collected.
Competency assessment
A proficiency test (PT) is a method of evaluating laboratory performance. It is usually conducted by testing unknown samples to assess the performance of the laboratory. The results are then compared to performance specifications, such as accuracy, precision, and sensitivity.
A proficiency test is one of the most critical components of a quality management system. It enables laboratories to verify the reliability of their laboratory testing independently. It is also used to measure the competency of lab personnel. Currently, approximately 35,967 clinical laboratories must participate in an approved PT program.
PT is designed to decrease error rates in the medical laboratory. However, it is a significant expense to some laboratories. Nevertheless, it is a requirement for all clinical laboratories that perform non-waived testing.
There are two types of PT: commutable and non-commutable. Commutable PT is a less expensive alternative to PT. Noncommutable PT materials are mailed or handed over to the laboratory. PT is generally conducted biennially.
Service contracts, warranties, and clinical validations
To acquire a CLIA/COLA-compliant lab, you need to know how to evaluate its credibility. Several factors determine the value of a lab, including service contracts, warranties, and clinical validations. However, they are all very different, and it can be challenging to quantify them. Fortunately, professionals with experience in laboratory valuation can help you with these tasks.
Service contracts and guarantees provided by a laboratory may be an excellent approach to increasing the value of its equipment. They can also serve as proof of compliance with specific government regulations. For example, a signed clinical validation can be an excellent way to show that a lab has been through an accreditation process.
However, getting a commercial contract can take years. That means you may need more time to get paid. Moreover, you may be discounted if you have any active claim disputes. You can prevent these issues from happening by applying for a CLIA license.