How to improve the quality of waived tests.

Every physician would like to believe that his or her in-office lab executes tests properly and delivers results reliably. Unfortunately, a recent multiyear study identified a number of consistent errors in lab tests waived by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) program. The study, done by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), identified problems with failure to maintain and follow manufacturers’ instructions, lack of quality control, and lack of documentation and recordkeeping that were outlined in a subsequent CDC report. This article offers suggestions based on the report to help your in-office lab improve quality, reduce testing errors and enhance patient health.