Laboratories accredited by COLA Inc. not only meet federal CLIA and state regulatory requirements but also benefit from COLA Inc.’s educational approach to accreditation.
How COLA Inc.’s Accreditation Process Works
Each step in the accreditation process is an opportunity to gather the information you need to improve quality in your laboratory practice. Along the way, we provide tools that will help you document and maintain compliance with COLA Inc. requirements.
STEP 1 - ENROLLMENT
When your laboratory joins COLA Inc. you will receive instructions on how to download the COLA Inc. Accreditation Manual, along with a detailed information packet containing all of the elements you need to ensure that your lab is prepared.
Key staff members will be enrolled in COLAcentral, COLA Inc.’s on-line customer portal, which will be used to communicate with COLA Inc. and monitor your lab’s accreditation status. COLAcentral includes many helpful tools to assist you with meeting COLA Inc. requirements.
STEP 2 - SELF-ASSESSMENT
Your laboratory conducts a Self-Assessment and submits the information to COLA Inc.
Laboratories can then make the improvements needed in preparation for the on-site survey.
STEP 3 - ON-SITE SURVEY
A COLA Inc. surveyor comes to your lab to perform the on-site survey. The surveyor will share preliminary survey findings with your staff and offer educational guidance at the time of survey.
STEP 4 - POST-SURVEY & CORRECTIVE ACTION
COLA Inc. carefully analyzes site data and issues formal post-survey report.
If non-compliant criteria are identified:
COLA Inc. provides educational materials and technical, hands-on consultation, support and advice to the lab at no cost. Labs then develop and implement a corrective plan, providing COLA Inc. with appropriate documentation.
STEP 5 - ACCREDITATION
Laboratory receives COLA Inc. Accreditation Certificate
(valid for two years).
(valid for two years).
COLA Inc. follows lab performance on a continuing basis, including monitoring proficiency testing.
Laboratory can use COLAcentral to help them stay in daily (rather than biennial) compliance with CLIA and COLA Inc. quality requirements and all appropriate state licensure standards.
COLA Inc.’s Technical Advisors help laboratories work to achieve a culture of quality throughout the two-year survey cycle.