--- title: Laboratory Accreditation Blog | lab test utilization description: lab test utilization | 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 - 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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/collaborate%20(1)-2.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/the-right-tests-through-utilization-management-part-2) ## [The Right Tests Through Utilization Management - Part 2](https://blog.cola.org/insider/the-right-tests-through-utilization-management-part-2) [December 08, 2017](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2017/12/08) [Laboratory Management](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-management), [Laboratory Operations](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-operations), [lab test utilization](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/lab-test-utilization), [test utilization](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/test-utilization), [laboratory test utiliazation](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-test-utiliazation) In the first post of this series we stressed how essential a partnership between the clinicians and laboratory leadership has become. In this post we will focus on the best way for you to develop a successful program utilizing a multidisciplinary approach. This approach should involve the... [![](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/test_tube2.jpg)](https://blog.cola.org/insider/effective-laboratory-utilization-part-4) ## [Effective Laboratory Utilization - Part 4](https://blog.cola.org/insider/effective-laboratory-utilization-part-4) [November 08, 2017](https://blog.cola.org/insider/archive/2017/11/08) [Laboratory Management](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-management), [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), [test utilization](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/test-utilization), [laboratory test utiliazation](https://blog.cola.org/insider/topic/laboratory-test-utiliazation) Identifying [lab test utilization](http://www.cola.org/education-resources/mayo-medical-lab-test-utilization/) tools for use is a solid first step towards optimized test utilization in your laboratory. To continue down the road of success there are additional issues for you to consider. Additional utilization strategies will help you to avoid the pitfalls of testing... [![](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. 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