California Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

Which organization grants official approval to physicians’ office laboratories?

1. JCAHO

2. CMS

3. COLA

4. CAP

The correct answer is: COLA

The organization responsible for granting official approval to physicians’ office laboratories is COLA, which stands for the Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation. COLA specializes in providing accreditation for laboratories that operate in physician offices, ensuring that they meet high standards of quality and safety in laboratory testing and practices. The accreditation process includes adherence to regulatory requirements, continual quality improvement, and ongoing education, which all contribute to maintaining the integrity and reliability of laboratory results. Other organizations mentioned have different focuses; for example, the Joint Commission (JCAHO) typically accredits hospitals and healthcare facilities rather than specifically physicians’ office laboratories. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) oversee compliance with federal regulations but do not grant accreditation themselves. The College of American Pathologists (CAP) is known for its laboratory accreditation also but tends to focus more broadly on laboratories rather than specifically those within physician offices. Thus, COLA is the most appropriate choice for this context.