COLA is honored to be one of the signatories for the CDC’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for collaboration to enhance diagnostic surge testing capacity for public health emergencies (PHEs). The MOU states that along with the CDC, organizations will work together to enhance testing capacity to respond to pandemics, outbreaks of new pathogens and other public health emergencies.
“COLA accredits a diverse range of private and public health laboratories nationwide, which play a vital role in rapidly expanding testing capacity during a crisis,” said Nancy Stratton, CEO of COLA. “COLA’s ability to quickly communicate with thousands of laboratories around the country is crucial for effectively responding to an outbreak,” she added. Furthermore, as stated in the MOU, COLA has pledged to offer educational resources to address the scientific, biosafety, regulatory, procurement and other requirements of laboratories conducting tests that are of public health importance.
Additional signatories include the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA), Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP), Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), College of American Pathologists (CAP), Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Independent Laboratory Association (NILA) and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR). COLA stands ready to engage in collaborative efforts with the CDC and these important stakeholders in the event that our nation confronts a crisis in the future.
For more information about this important initiative, visit the CDC website.