COLUMBIA, MD, July 14, 2017 Breakthroughs in science and technological progress are tremendously beneficial, especially when focused on improving the quality of our lives. In the case of laboratory testing, human ingenuity has resulted in innovative technology which enables clinicians to perform real-time testing in a variety of care settings, including medical practices, nursing homes, patient-centered medical homes, urgent care centers, accountable care organizations and more.
To illustrate physicians throughout the nation rely upon their office laboratory to perform real-time testing for their patients. Testing in the practice supports physician decision-making and facilitates early, accurate diagnosis so that patients can be treated and on the road to better health.
A new website developed by COLA is focused on raising the awareness of the importance of near patient testing to early diagnosis and chronic disease management. While the healthcare system is moving forward with financial incentives to keep people healthy, having the ability to perform clinical laboratory testing at point of service is vital to ensuring the health of populations and communities across the country.
NearPatientTestingMatters.org, is a valuable resource to showcase how near patient testing improves the lives of patients. The website was created by COLA in recognition that the healthcare delivery system is changing at a rapid pace and sometimes decisions are made without consideration to the total cost of care nor the unintended consequences of those decisions.
In addition, administrative and payment decisions are often made in a vacumn with insufficient understanding of how these decisions impact the lives of everyday people. As such, this site will showcase COLA research on the value of laboratory testing to patient care as well as challenges with access to laboratory testing in rural communities.
About COLA
COLA accredits nearly 8,000 medical laboratories and provides the clinical laboratory with a program of education, consultation, and accreditation. The organization is an independent, non-profit accreditor whose education program and standards enable clinical laboratories and staff to meet U.S. CLIA and other regulatory requirements. COLA is recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as a deemed accrediting organization. COLA’s program is endorsed by the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American College of Physicians (ACP), and is also recognized by The Joint Commission. For more information about COLA accreditation services and educational products, and online educational opportunities, please call 800-981-9883 or visit COLA’s web site at www.cola.org.