COLA Launches Web Tool to Streamline Laboratory Management
COLA's dedicated web tool portal provides compliance status information, news and resources at a glance streamlining laboratory management.
Columbia, MD (PRWEB) November 14, 2009 -- COLA, an internationally respected clinical laboratory accreditation organization, today launched a personalized desktop tool, designed to help laboratory personnel manage their laboratories and professional development more efficiently.
Called “COLAcentral,” the web portal (www.colacentral.org) provides a variety of helpful electronic tools, giving laboratory personnel the ability to update their laboratory profile, view news alerts and survey results, prepare for upcoming compliance surveys and receive support for a wide range of laboratory needs. Key features include an easy-to-follow dashboard wheel which displays compliance status information at a glance; a self-assessment wizard allowing managers to monitor their laboratory’s quality; and a dedicated section for waived laboratories.
“Laboratory managers are constantly challenged to act in accordance with Quality Systems, meet federal CLIA and state regulatory requirements and provide the best possible patient care,” said Douglas Beigel, COLA Chief Executive Officer. “COLAcentral helps them achieve these goals by providing a customizable desktop that lets them manage regulatory compliance, access educational resources, store and update records, receive industry alerts and talk online to their COLA surveyor from one convenient location.”
The new tool also permits laboratory managers to:
| | - Inform COLA of personnel updates, eliminating the need to fax this information
- Store information such as laboratory director forms and proficiency testing results in an electronic filing cabinet
- View biographical information and photos of COLA laboratory surveyors
- View current COLA account balance, and make payments
- Register for COLA symposia and special programs
- Schedule surveyor visits
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Beigel added that laboratories with Certificates of Waiver can access the site by clicking on the “New to COLAcentral” tab on the homepage.
“Studies have shown that a noticeable percentage of waived sites are not meeting minimal requirements and are not aware of recommended practices to help ensure quality testing,” said Beigel. “COLAcentral provides an easy-to-use and affordable solution to this problem, by allowing waived laboratories to access our growing library of more than of 60 online courses as well as a variety of other resources that help them improve performance.”
About COLA:
COLA accredits almost 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 and standards enable clinical laboratories and staff to meet U.S. CLIA and other regulatory requirements. 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.
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