--- title: Laboratory Accreditation Blog | lab test description: lab test | COLA's Laboratory Accreditation Blog provides expect articles and ideas for Laboratory Directors and staff to assist in improving lab quality and patient safety --- 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) ### Featured [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/Washing%20hands.jpeg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/5-steps-cdc-recommends-for-hand-washing) [5 Steps CDC Recommends for Hand-washing](https://blog.cola.org/insider/5-steps-cdc-recommends-for-hand-washing) [November 07, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/11/07) [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/dreamstime_xl_19338152-2.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-director-requirements-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0) [Instrument Flags Should Never be Ignored](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-director-requirements-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0) [November 20, 2018](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2018/11/20) [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/collaborate%20(1).jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/cost-effective-laboratory-management-staffing-strategies) [Cost Effective Laboratory Management: Staffing Strategies](https://blog.cola.org/insider/cost-effective-laboratory-management-staffing-strategies) [September 27, 2017](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2017/09/27) ### Recent Articles [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/laboratorian%20using%20computer.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/the-right-tests-through-utilization-management-part-3-) ## [The Right Tests Through Utilization Management - Part 3 ](https://blog.cola.org/insider/the-right-tests-through-utilization-management-part-3-) [January 11, 2018](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2018/01/11) [Laboratory Management](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-management), [Laboratory Operations](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-operations), [lab test](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-test), [lab utilization](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-utilization), [lab test utilization](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-test-utilization), [cost effective lab management](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/cost-effective-lab-management), [laboratory test utiliazation](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-test-utiliazation), [reference laboratory](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/reference-laboratory), [accurate test results](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/accurate-test-results) ##### Improve test utilization and test results by partnering with reference laboratories Partnering with reference laboratory gives you many opportunites to improve [lab test utilization](http://www.cola.org/education-resources/mayo-medical-lab-test-utilization/) and produce accurate test results. You should expect your reference laboratory to be your partner with the laboratory... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/clipboard.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/right-tests-through-laboratory-utilization-management-part-1) ## [The Right Tests Through Utilization Management - Part 1](https://blog.cola.org/insider/right-tests-through-laboratory-utilization-management-part-1) [November 15, 2017](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2017/11/15) [Laboratory Management](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-management), [Laboratory Operations](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-operations), [lab test](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-test), [lab tests](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-tests), [lab test utilization](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-test-utilization) The Laboratory Director and clinicians have important roles ensuring that the patient tests being performed are the appropriate analytes in a given clinical situation. Laboratory leadership and clinicians need to work closely to make this a reality. The number of analytes available for testing has... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/sample_needle-1.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/effective-laboratory-utilization-part-3) ## [Effective Laboratory Utilization - Part 3](https://blog.cola.org/insider/effective-laboratory-utilization-part-3) [November 03, 2017](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2017/11/03) [Laboratory Management](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-management), [lab test](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-test), [lab utilization](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-utilization), [lab test utilization](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-test-utilization) Many factors may cause knowledge gaps related to laboratory utilization including:  - Explosive growth in the number of laboratory analytes, - Molecular tests show greatest percentage of growth, with estimated growth of 25% annually, - Lack of guidance from many laboratories to assist in appropriate... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/clipboard.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/effective-laboratory-utilization-part-2) ## [Effective Laboratory Utilization - Part 2](https://blog.cola.org/insider/effective-laboratory-utilization-part-2) [October 25, 2017](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2017/10/25) [Laboratory Management](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-management), [Laboratory Operations](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-operations), [lab test](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-test), [lab tests](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-tests), [lab test utilization](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-test-utilization) Developing an [effective laboratory utilization plan](https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/699447003557234689) for your practice does not have to be difficult. You can successfully implement utilization activities in the ambulatory setting with four major components.  These mayor keys to your success include: [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/blood_vial.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/effective-laboratory-utilization-part-1) ## [Effective Laboratory Utilization - Part 1](https://blog.cola.org/insider/effective-laboratory-utilization-part-1) [October 18, 2017](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2017/10/18) [Laboratory Operations](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-operations), [lab test](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-test), [lab tests](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-tests), [lab test utilization](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-test-utilization) The changing healthcare environment has brought appropriate [lab utilization](http://www.cola.org/effective-lab-utilization-part-1/) to the forefront in medical practices.  I will review effective [lab test utilization](http://www.cola.org/education-resources/mayo-medical-lab-test-utilization/) in a four part webinar series.  Join us for Part 1 - the “why” of laboratory utilization. [1](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/lab-test/page/1) ### 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)