COLA Accreditation
The most effective way to stay in compliance
Enroll With COLA Today!Â
Already a customer? Log in here
COLA Accreditation
The most effective way to stay in compliance
Enroll With COLA Today!
Already a customer? Log in here.
We help clinical laboratories provide the best patient care by ensuring that you not only meet federal CLIA and state requirements, but also benefit from our educational services.Â
Accreditation Options to Fit all Your Laboratory Needs
Each step in the accreditation process is an opportunity to gather the information you need to continuously improve quality in your laboratory. Along the way, we provide tools that will help you document and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.Â
COLA operates its accreditation program in accordance with a quality management system certified to ISO 9001:2015. You can always count on COLA to provide a consistent survey experience every two years and across multiple laboratories in a system.
Clinical Laboratory
COLA’s Accreditation program provides direct access to technical support and a standardized program that COLA customers have valued for more than 30 years. COLA’s Surveyors are dedicated medical laboratory scientists with over 10 years of bench experience and keen insights into best practices for all laboratory disciplines. Surveys are efficient and educational, and our Technical Advisor team is available to answer your compliance questions throughout the accreditation cycle.Â
Multi-Laboratory Systems (Enterprise)
For laboratories that are part of a larger system, our Enterprise program provides a single point of contact for seamless account assistance, and flexible group scheduling to accommodate your preferences. Our COLAcentral multi-laboratory dashboard enables you to access and update information for all of your laboratories at once.Â
Pathology
COLA’s Pathology criteria reflect the CLIA requirements for Histopathology and Cytology and align with recent advances in science and technology of Pathology testing. Our program administrators average 35 years experience in anatomic pathology laboratory operations, safety and accreditation and are accessible throughout the accreditation cycle. Our extensive library of Primers contain up-to-date regulatory guidance and best practices for frozen sections, telepathology and more.
EMS/Mobile
Our Accreditation program is flexible enough to meet the needs of mobile EMS units, including fleets that operate multiple mobile laboratories under one CLIA certificate and those that operate across state lines. Our Surveyors and Technical Advisors understand the special circumstances that apply to EMS/mobile laboratories and can guide you in best practices.Â
100,000+
On-site
Surveys
7,400+
Accredited
Laboratories
30+
Years of
Service
COLA is approved by CMS to accredit these CLIA Specialties
Chemistry
Hematology
Microbiology
Immunology
Immuno-hematology
Pathology
We accredit laboratories in all types of facilities
Physician
Offices
Hospitals
Reference
Laboratories
Health Systems
Pathology &
Cytology
Laboratories
Public Health
Laboratories
Mohs Frozen
Sections
Surgery Centers
EMS & Mobile
Laboratories
Rural Health
Clinics
Plasma
Centers
Long Term
Care
Physician
Offices
Hospitals
Reference
Laboratories
Health Systems
Pathology &
Cytology
Laboratories
Public Health
Laboratories
Surgery Centers
Rural Health
Clinics
Mohs Frozen
Sections
EMS & Mobile
Laboratories
Plasma
Centers
Long Term
Care
Physician
Offices
Hospitals
Reference
Laboratories
Health Systems
Pathology &
Cytology
Laboratories
Public Health
Laboratories
Surgery Centers
Rural Health
Clinics
Mohs Frozen
Sections
Long Term
Care
Plasma
Centers
EMS & Mobile
Laboratories
COLA Has Expertise in Specialized Testing
Mass Spectrometry
Molecular Diagnostics
Digital Pathology
Transfusion Services
COLA has been approved to deem laboratories in California compliant with the state requirements.
As a COLA customer, you have the benefit of monitoring your accreditation status and accessing valuable educational content through our online customer portal.Â
How Our Process Works
Enrollment
When your laboratory joins COLA, you receive instructions on how to download our Accreditation Manual and a detailed information packet to help you prepare for COLA accreditation.Â
Use COLAcentral, our online customer portal, to communicate with us and monitor your accreditation status. Through COLAcentral you can access our many educational tools.
1
Self Assessment
Your laboratory may conduct a Self-Assessment and submit the information to COLA. Use your results and feedback to make any corrective actions needed in preparation for the on-site survey.
2
On Site Survey
Depending upon the size and complexity of your laboratory, a COLA Surveyor or Survey Team will visit your laboratory. We utilize an educational approach throughout our visit and preliminary survey findings are shared with you and your staff at the conclusion of the survey.
3
Post Survey &
Corrective Action
COLA experts carefully analyze the survey findings before finalizing your survey report. If non-compliant criteria are identified you will need to develop and implement a corrective action plan and submit appropriate documentation as required. During this process, technical support is available to you at no additional cost.
4
Accreditation
Your laboratory receives the COLA Accreditation Certificate for your two-year cycle. COLA follows your laboratory performance on a continuing basis, including monitoring proficiency testing.
COLA Technical Advisors help laboratories work to achieve a culture of quality throughout the two-year survey cycle.
5
How Our Process Works
1
Enrollment
When your laboratory joins COLA, you receive instructions on how to download our Accreditation Manual and a detailed information packet to help you prepare for COLA accreditation.Â
Use COLAcentral, our online customer portal, to communicate with us and monitor your accreditation status. Through COLAcentral you can access our many educational tools.
2
Self Assessment
Your laboratory may conduct a Self-Assessment and submit the information to COLA. Use your results and feedback to make any corrective actions needed in preparation for the on-site survey.
3
Onsite Survey
Depending upon the size and complexity of your laboratory, a COLA Surveyor or Survey Team will visit your laboratory. We utilize an educational approach throughout our visit and preliminary survey findings are shared with you and your staff at the conclusion of the survey.
4
Post Survey & Corrective Action
COLA experts carefully analyze the survey findings before finalizing your survey report. If non-compliant criteria are identified you will need to develop and implement a corrective action plan and submit appropriate documentation as required. During this process, technical support is available to you at no additional cost. Â
5
Accreditation
Your laboratory receives the COLA Accreditation Certificate for your two-year cycle. COLA follows your laboratory performance on a continuing basis, including monitoring proficiency testing.
COLA Technical Advisors help laboratories work to achieve a culture of quality throughout the two-year survey cycle.
Stay Informed!
Stay informed about the latest regulatory announcements, upcoming events, trending accreditation news and other laboratory topics.