--- title: Laboratory Accreditation Blog (3) description: COLA's Laboratory Accreditation Blog provides expect articles and ideas for Laboratory Directors and staff to assist in improving lab quality and patient safety (3) --- ISO 9001:2015 - [Careers](http://www.cola.org/careers/) - [A Great Place to Work](http://www.cola.org/careers/a-great-place-to-work/) - [Current Openings](http://www.cola.org/careers/current-openings/) - [Press Room](http://www.cola.org/press-room/) - Member Login - [COLAcentral](https://www.colacentral.com) - [Board of Directors](http://board.cola.org/) - visit related COLA sites - [GiveBack365](http://www.GiveBack365.org) - [Lab Testing Matters](http://www.LabTestingMatters.org) - [MyConsultantCentral](http://www.myconsultantcentral.com/) - 1-800-981-9883 ![ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1](https://blog.cola.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1.png?width=306&height=111&name=ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1.png)   ![ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1](https://blog.cola.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1.png?width=210&height=76&name=ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1.png)   ISO 9001:2015 - [Careers](http://www.cola.org/careers/) - [A Great Place to Work](http://www.cola.org/careers/a-great-place-to-work/) - [Current Openings](http://www.cola.org/careers/current-openings/) - [Press Room](http://www.cola.org/press-room/) - Member Login - [COLAcentral](https://www.colacentral.com) - [LabUniversity](https://cola.absorbtraining.com/default.aspx#/login) - [Board of Directors](http://board.cola.org/) - visit related COLA sites - [COLA Resources, Inc.](http://www.criedu.org/) - [GiveBack365](http://www.GiveBack365.org) - [Lab Testing Matters](http://www.LabTestingMatters.org) - [LabUniversity](http://www.labuniversity.org) - [MyConsultantCentral](http://www.myconsultantcentral.com/) 1-800-981-9883 [![2021_newest_logo_cola-footer (1)](https://blog.cola.org/hs-fs/hubfs/2021_newest_logo_cola-footer%20(1).png?width=261&name=2021_newest_logo_cola-footer%20(1).png)](http://www.cola.org/) - [About COLA Inc.](http://www.cola.org/cola-clia-certification-accreditation-application/) - [Overview](http://www.cola.org/lab-testing-accreditation-quality/) - 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[Apply for COLA](http://www.cola.org/lab-testing-accreditation-quality/clia-application-clia-accreditation/) - Quality Accreditation Services - [Accreditation - Clinical Laboratory](http://www.cola.org/lab-testing-accreditation-quality/what-is-cola/) - [Mobile Laboratory Accreditation for EMS](https://education.cola.org/mobile-laboratory-accreditation) - Laboratory Experts - [Surveyors](http://www.cola.org/cola-clia-certification-accreditation-application/cola-surveyors/) - [CDC LOCS Updates](https://blog.cola.org/updates) - [Insider Blog](https://blog.cola.org/blog) - Additional Resources - [Patient Safety Program](https://www.cola.org/patient-safety/) - [HIPAA Information](https://www.cola.org/hipaa-information/) - [Lab Tests Online](https://www.cola.org/lab-tests-online/) - [Apply for COLA](http://www.cola.org/lab-testing-accreditation-quality/clia-application-clia-accreditation/) - Training & Development - [Individualized Quality Control Plan](https://education.cola.org/individualized-quality-control-plan-course) - Laboratory Enrichment Forum - [Attendees](https://education.cola.org/2023-laboratory-enrichment-forum) - [Sponsors](https://education.cola.org/en-us/2023-sponsor) - [Laboratory Director Course](https://www.cola.org/laboratory-director-course/) - [Waived Testing Toolkit](https://education.cola.org/colas-waived-testing-toolkit) - [Lab Link](https://www.cola.org/lab-link/) - [COLA Primers/Ebooks](https://www.cola.org/education-resources/cola-primers-ebooks/) - [COLA's Insights](http://www.cola.org/education-resources/laboratory-education/) - [Webinars](http://www.cola.org/webinars/) - [Workforce Action Alliance](https://education.cola.org/2023-workforce-action-alliance) - FDA Services - [Third Party Review](http://www.cola.org/third-party-review/) - [Contact Us](https://education.cola.org/contact-us-page) ### Recent Articles [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/Hep%20a.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/increase-in-reports-of-hepatitis-a) ## [Increase in Reports of Hepatitis A](https://blog.cola.org/insider/increase-in-reports-of-hepatitis-a) [June 20, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/06/20) [News](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/news), [accurate test results](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/accurate-test-results), [laboratory medicine](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-medicine), [clinical laboratory](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/clinical-laboratory) Hepatitis A cases in the United States almost tripled from 2016-2018 when compared with 2013-2015.  According to the CDC, the increase was not uniform throughout the country.  Prior to the introduction of Hepatitis A vaccine in 1995, it was common to see incidence rates of 30,000 cases/year. Now... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/Drone%20flying%20at%20sunset-3.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/can-drones-improve-patient-care/patient-outcomes) ## [Commercial Drone Use Expands in Medical Care](https://blog.cola.org/insider/can-drones-improve-patient-care/patient-outcomes) [June 13, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/06/13) [News](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/news), [accurate test results](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/accurate-test-results), [laboratory medicine](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-medicine), [clinical laboratory](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/clinical-laboratory) Approximately 14 months ago, I published a piece “Drones Could Impact Laboratory Testing Sooner Than You Think”. In the fall of 2017, US Department of Transportation announced an Unmanned Aircraft System pilot program to explore expansion of drone usage in the private sector. WakeMed Health and... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/Syphilis.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/laboratory-testing-for-syphilis-and-screening-for-congenital-syphilis) ## [Laboratory Testing for Syphilis and Screening for Congenital Syphilis](https://blog.cola.org/insider/laboratory-testing-for-syphilis-and-screening-for-congenital-syphilis) [May 30, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/05/30) [News](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/news), [clinical laboratory](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/clinical-laboratory) Treponema pallidum is the causative agent of syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease that, as previously discussed, has been showing increasing activity in the United States. Traditionally, screening for syphilis involved testing using a nontreponemal assay with positive cases confirmed by use of... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/Syphilis.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-director-requirements-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-1-1-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0) ## [Increase in Nationwide Syphilis Infection](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-director-requirements-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-1-1-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0) [May 21, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/05/21) [News](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/news), [clinical laboratory](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/clinical-laboratory) Over the past two years, there have been multiple papers and articles published pertaining to the increasing rates of syphilis in the United States. Recently I read an article “Syphilis Invades Rural America” by Lauren Weber, which led me to do a review of the subject. The referenced article speaks... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/Capture-17.png)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-director-requirements-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-1-1-0-0-0-0-0-0-0) ## [Update on Candida Auris](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-director-requirements-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-1-1-0-0-0-0-0-0-0) [May 07, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/05/07) [News](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/news), [clinical laboratory](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/clinical-laboratory) Candida auris fungus is frequently a multidrug-resistant organism that causes serious, often deadly infections. I first became aware of it about a year ago and published information on the website labtestingmatters.org. C. auris was originally identified in Japan in 2009 and subsequently became... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/VA%20Logo.png)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-director-requirements-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-1-1-0-0-0-0-0-0) ## [Precision Pharmacogenetic Testing Offered to Military Veterans by Sanford Health](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-director-requirements-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-1-1-0-0-0-0-0-0) [April 11, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/04/11) [News](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/news), [clinical laboratory](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/clinical-laboratory) As part of a precision medicine partnership between U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, S.D., 250,000 U.S. veterans who are current VA Health Care System patients will receive no cost pharmacogenetic testing evaluating actionable genetic traits.  [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/CAT.jpeg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-director-requirements-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-1-1-0-0-0-0-0) ## [Cat Do-Do Make You Coocoo?](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-director-requirements-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-1-1-0-0-0-0-0) [March 21, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/03/21) [News](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/news), [clinical laboratory](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/clinical-laboratory) A recent article in *Daily News from Science* published by American Association for the Advancement of Science asks the question “Can cat poop cause mental illness?”  It is estimated that approximately 11% of the US population 6 years and older have been infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Worldwide, in... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/3-dimensional-model-of-influenza-virus-3d-graphical-representation-of-influenza-virion-ultrastructure-1.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-director-requirements-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-1-1-0-0-0-0-1) ## [Influenza Update: Increased Detection H3N2](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-director-requirements-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-1-1-0-0-0-0-1) [March 14, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/03/14) [News](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/news), [clinical laboratory](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/clinical-laboratory) While still prevalent in 48 states, the influenza season has appeared to have peaked. However, the report from CDC last week indicated that of the influenza detected, 60% was type H3N2. This type influenza causes more hospitalizations and deaths, especially in the elderly. As you can see from the... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/dreamstime_xl_3795203-1.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-director-requirements-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-1-1-0-0-0-0) ## [GENETIC TESTING IN PRIMARY CARE](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-director-requirements-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-1-1-0-0-0-0) [March 07, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/03/07) [News](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/news), [clinical laboratory](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/clinical-laboratory) With our ever expanding genetic knowledge and the increasing number of molecular tests available, coupled with the decreasing cost to obtain results, it is not surprising to see genetic tests offered in primary care practices. Last year saw expansion of genetic test availability in several health... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/iStock-482759508.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-director-requirements-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-1-1-0-0-0-1) ## [Proposed Changes to Proficiency Testing Regulations](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-director-requirements-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-1-1-0-0-0-1) [February 28, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/02/28) [News](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/news), [clinical laboratory](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/clinical-laboratory) On February 1, 2019, CMS and CDC published proposed rules to update the CLIA Proficiency Testing Regulations.  The PT Regulations had not been updated since first enacted in 1992.  [1](https://blog.cola.org/insider/page/1) [2](https://blog.cola.org/insider/page/2) [3](https://blog.cola.org/insider/page/3) [4](https://blog.cola.org/insider/page/4) [5](https://blog.cola.org/insider/page/5) [Prev page](https://blog.cola.org/insider/page/2) [...](https://blog.cola.org/insider/page/8) [8](https://blog.cola.org/insider/page/8) [Next page](https://blog.cola.org/insider/page/4) ### Filter Articles by: - [clinical laboratory (57)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/clinical-laboratory) - [News (56)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/news) - [laboratory medicine (23)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/laboratory-medicine) - [accurate test results (20)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/accurate-test-results) - [Laboratory Operations (10)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/laboratory-operations) - [Laboratory Management (9)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/laboratory-management) - [lab test utilization (7)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/lab-test-utilization) - [lab tests (7)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/lab-tests) - [lab test (5)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/lab-test) - [laboratory test utiliazation (3)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/laboratory-test-utiliazation) - [cost effective lab management (2)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/cost-effective-lab-management) - [health care trends (2)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/health-care-trends) - [lab utilization (2)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/lab-utilization) - [test utilization (2)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/test-utilization) - [Personnel Competence (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/personnel-competence) - [bitcoin (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/bitcoin) - [cancer (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/cancer) - [clia (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/clia) - [clia 1988 regulations (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/clia-1988-regulations) - [clia accreditation (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/clia-accreditation) - [clia guidelines (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/clia-guidelines) - [clia regulations (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/clia-regulations) - [cms clia (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/cms-clia) - [colon (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/colon) - [health care costs (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/health-care-costs) - [healthcare finance (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/healthcare-finance) - [lab equipment (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/lab-equipment) - [patient outcomes (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/patient-outcomes) - [patient satisfaction (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/patient-satisfaction) - [reference laboratory (1)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/reference-laboratory) Show More   Search Blog: [Careers](http://www.cola.org/careers/) | [Press Room](http://www.cola.org/press-room/) ![ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1](https://blog.cola.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1.png?width=175&height=64&name=ColaUpdatedLogoStackedWhiteBackground-1.png) 9881 Broken Land Pkwy Suite 200 | Columbia, MD 21046-3016 Phone (800) 981-9883 | Fax (410) 381-8611 | Email [info@cola.org](mailto:info@cola.org) [Privacy Policy](http://www.cola.org/privacy-policy/) | [Terms Of Service](http://www.cola.org/terms-of-service/) | [Interested In Advertising?](https://education.cola.org/cola-adnetwork) - follow us: - - - - Visit: [Near Patient Testing Matters](http://www.nearpatienttestingmatters.org/) [Lab Testing Matters](http://www.labtestingmatters.org/) [My Consultant Central](http://www.myconsultantcentral.com/) Member Login: [COLAcentral](https://www.colacentral.com) [Board of Directors](http://board.cola.org/) site development by [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/COLA-Jun2017/images/NL_bug.png)](http://www.nextlogik.com) © 2004 - 2017 COLA All Rights Reserved ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=169932&fmt=gif)