California Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

Which organization works specifically to ensure quality laboratory services?

1. CDC

2. COLA

3. JCAHO

4. CMS

The correct answer is: COLA

COLA is the organization that works specifically to ensure quality laboratory services. It is a nonprofit organization that provides accreditation and education for clinical laboratories, emphasizing the need for high standards in laboratory practices. By focusing on quality improvement, COLA aims to enhance laboratory performance, which ultimately impacts patient care and outcomes. The functions of COLA include evaluating laboratory processes, providing resources for training, and helping laboratories comply with regulatory requirements. This focus directly supports the organization’s mission to improve the quality of laboratory services. In contrast, other organizations like the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) primarily focus on public health and disease control, JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) typically oversees the accreditation of hospitals and healthcare organizations in general rather than labs specifically, while CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) regulates laboratory testing through the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), but it is not solely focused on quality laboratory services.