COLA is committed to improving the standards and quality of healthcare
internationally in the areas of clinical laboratory medicine, education, and
other medical practice site services.
To further this commitment, COLA is increasing its presence in the international
laboratory accreditation field. We now accredit laboratories from Canada, the
Caribbean, the Central Pacific, Bermuda, and Taiwan. COLA
accredits laboratories using standards that are equivalent to both ISO 15189 and
U.S. Federal CLIA requirements.
COLA is involved in the development of ISO standards for clinical laboratories
and in-vitro diagnostic devices. COLA is a member of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to ISO/TC 212. ISO/TC 212 technical committee is
responsible for the development and refinement of ISO 15189 Medical laboratories
- Particular requirements for quality and competence.
COLA is also actively exploring other clinical laboratory accreditation
opportunities with a goal of achieving worldwide excellence in laboratory
medicine through implementing sound, scalable programs of education, continuous
improvement, and maintenance of high standards in clinical laboratory medicine.
In 2006, COLA convened the first World Lab Forum, a unique conclave of
international thought leaders from around the world to create a shared vision
for establishing appropriate quality standards for medical laboratories which
are increasingly important in responding to a world at risk. More information
about the forum can be found at http://www.worldlabforum.org.
For more information about COLA's International activity and its
international affiliates, please contact Max Williams at international@cola.org.
To submit a Client Needs Assessment for your facility, please click here. Or, you may click here to submit an International Application for Laboratory Accreditation.
