As CLIA regulations become increasingly complex and testing menus continue to grow, there is a growing need to hire dedicated quality assurance (QA) coordinators to ensure laboratories maintain compliance requirements.
A role previously seen only in larger hospital complexes and reference laboratories is now essential for smaller, more rural hospitals and critical access hospitals. However, these smaller laboratories that perform few, if any, high-complexity tests often lack the resources to hire dedicated personnel for their impartial quality oversight. Additionally, many hospital QA coordinators usually do not possess the specialized knowledge about laboratory-specific regulations outlined under CLIA to provide laboratories with their needed consultative oversight or guidance.
This gap in expertise and resources creates an opportunity for clinical laboratory consulting services like Sherwood Diagnostics.
External consultants can provide valuable support, allowing laboratory managers to focus on day-to-day operations while benefiting from expert guidance on regulatory compliance. By engaging consultants, smaller laboratories can access the necessary expertise to navigate complex CLIA regulations without the financial burden of hiring a full-time quality assurance coordinator.
This approach ensures that laboratories of all sizes can maintain high quality and compliance standards, ultimately contributing to better patient care and regulatory adherence.
