--- title: Laboratory Accreditation Blog | laboratory medicine description: laboratory medicine | 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/dreamstime_xl_39614434.jpeg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/the-continued-rise-in-cost-of-healthcare) ## [The Continued Rise in Cost of Healthcare](https://blog.cola.org/insider/the-continued-rise-in-cost-of-healthcare) [February 06, 2020](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2020/02/06) [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) **A recent blog in Definitive Healthcare explored “5 Reasons Why Healthcare Costs are Rising”. It focused on the projections of national health expenditures rising at an annual rate of 5.5 percent and consuming 19.4 percent of gross domestic product by 2027. The two top stimuli for increasing health...** [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/dreamstime_xl_39614434.jpeg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/declining-reimbursement-in-the-clinical-laboratory) ## [Declining Reimbursement in the Clinical Laboratory](https://blog.cola.org/insider/declining-reimbursement-in-the-clinical-laboratory) [January 30, 2020](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2020/01/30) [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) At the end of each year, the Dark Report presents the top 10 laboratory stories and major laboratory trends of the prior year. This year, not unexpectedly, the top story was the financial impact on clinical laboratories of the second year of PAMA-related cuts in Medicare’s Clinical Laboratory Fee... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/iStock-614053950.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/the-a-to-z-of-testing-for-folate-deficiency) ## [The A to Z of Testing for Folate Deficiency](https://blog.cola.org/insider/the-a-to-z-of-testing-for-folate-deficiency) [January 16, 2020](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2020/01/16) [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) Folic Acid is an important nutrient in our diets. During the 1990s when the relationship between folic acid deficiency and neural tube defects was demonstrated, the FDA required the addition of folic acid supplements to certain foods. Today we monitor pregnant patients for folate deficiency and,... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/ebola-1.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/fda-warning-potential-false-negative-cardiac-tests-0) ## [The Next Big Thing in Diagnosis of Ebola](https://blog.cola.org/insider/fda-warning-potential-false-negative-cardiac-tests-0) [December 04, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/12/04) [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) A review discussing advances in diagnosis and management of Ebola Virus Disease was published in Clinical Microbiology Newsletter in November and I thought it worthwhile to share information on the diagnostic improvements. Ebola Virus, an RNA virus, is comprised of a group with six species. Four of... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/dreamstime_xl_19338152-3.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/fda-warning-potential-false-negative-cardiac-tests) ## [FDA Warning: Potential False Negative Cardiac Tests](https://blog.cola.org/insider/fda-warning-potential-false-negative-cardiac-tests) [November 14, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/11/14) [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) In late November 2017, the FDA issued a warning that patients with elevated levels of biotin (vitamin B7) can experience incorrect laboratory results using certain immunoassays that rely on biotin technology.  Biotin is an over the counter vitamin supplement used for its purported effects in... [![](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) [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) **Recently the CDC launched** *Life is Better with Clean Hands* **campaign. The goal of the campaign is to provide motivation for us all to make hand-washing part of everyday life to protect ourselves and set an example for our children. We in the laboratory are keenly aware of the need for hand washing in...** [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/Capture-23.png)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/scarlet-fever-the-comeback-kid) ## [Scarlet Fever: The Comeback Kid](https://blog.cola.org/insider/scarlet-fever-the-comeback-kid) [October 31, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/10/31) [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) I had not given scarlet fever much thought since I was a young child and parents would occasionally express concern that a childhood rash might be a manifestation of scarlet fever. Then, for many years it was rarely, if ever discussed. However, in some parts of the world, scarlet fever recently has... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/PCCA%20Month.png)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/how-laboratories-can-improve-patient-centered-care) ## [How Laboratories can Improve Patient-Centered Care](https://blog.cola.org/insider/how-laboratories-can-improve-patient-centered-care) [October 24, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/10/24) [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) Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month is recognized every year in October. It is an international campaign to bring awareness to the importance of centering the patient in health care, and to encourage health care organizations and providers to continue working towards making patient-centered care... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/AACC-Lab-Tests-Online.png)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-testing-online-witness-the-growth-in-patient-centered-medical-care) ## [Lab Testing Online: Witness The Growth in Patient Centered Medical Care](https://blog.cola.org/insider/lab-testing-online-witness-the-growth-in-patient-centered-medical-care) [October 17, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/10/17) [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) Over the past twenty-five years, we have seen increasing consumer involvement in the health care decisions affecting themselves and their loved ones. Witness the growth of Patient-Centered Medical Care and Medical Homes as having accelerated collaboration between patients and providers. In... [![](https://blog.cola.org/hubfs/zecke-in-grossaufnahme.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/serologic-diagnosis-advances-for-rapidly-diagnosing-lyme-disease) ## [Serologic Diagnosis Advances for Rapidly Diagnosing Lyme Disease](https://blog.cola.org/insider/serologic-diagnosis-advances-for-rapidly-diagnosing-lyme-disease) [October 10, 2019](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2019/10/10) [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) For the past 25 years, the recommendation for Lyme Disease testing has been a two-test methodology, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or immunofluorescence test followed by a western immunoblot assay performed on those specimens yielding a positive or equivocal Lyme Disease EIA result. [1](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/laboratory-medicine/page/1) [2](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/laboratory-medicine/page/2) [3](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/laboratory-medicine/page/3) [Next page](https://blog.cola.org/insider/tag/laboratory-medicine/page/2) ### 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)