Special to Iredell Free News
The Iredell County Health Department’s Mooresville location recently passed without deficiencies a three-hour laboratory inspection.
This Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) audit, which was completed in March, occurs every two years. Many previous audits have resulted in no findings of deficiency.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regulates all laboratory testing (except research) performed on humans in the U.S. through the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments.
The objective of the CLIA program is to ensure quality laboratory testing. For the two-year period being audited, CLIA requires the Health Department to show:
♦ Proficiency (skill) testing of the lab staff annually;
♦ Accurate record keeping, including quality control records, maintenance records, equipment calibrations, temperature logs, instrument printouts, and manufacturer information;
♦ Quality assurance policy, records, and monitors;
♦ All policies and procedures to ensure the department is following them as written;
♦ Personnel records, including job descriptions, training records showing annual competency evaluations, including direct observations and proficiency testing, required continuing education and diplomas;
♦ Electronic Medical Record validations to ensure that records are kept to regulation standards and cannot be tampered with after resulting, and that printed reports include all required information
In total, CLIA covers approximately 260,000 laboratory entities.
The Health Department provides high quality and low-cost walk-in lab services to Iredell County residents (18 years of age or older). Certified and compassionate team members play a crucial role in testing blood samples ordered by a doctor (some services are available without a doctor’s order). Walk-in lab services are available at the Statesville and Mooresville Health Department locations; however, making an appointment for these services allows us to help you more efficiently during your visit.
The staff also provides laboratory services for various in-house programs like WIC, Child Health, Maternal Health, Sexually Transmitted Disease, Family Planning, and more. These services are critical in order to provide quality public health services.
LEARN MORE
For questions about our lab services call Iredell County Health Department 704-878-5300 or visit https://www.co.iredell.nc.us/179/Lab-Services