Ch 1 Fundamentals of the Clinical Laboratory

Clinical laboratory testing

Crucial testing used for the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.

ASCP

American Society for Clinical Pathology, which created the Board of Registry (BOR) in 1928.

MT (ASCP)

Medical technologist; the historical acronym for individuals who passed the BOR’s registry exam.

ASCLS

American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, originally formed in 1933 as the ASCLT.

Medical laboratory technician (MLT)

A technician-level professional whose role developed as a 2-year associate’s degree program.

Medical laboratory scientist (MLS)

The modern professional designation used for laboratory generalists, formerly called medical technologists.

MLS(ASCP)

The modern professional credentialing designation for a certified medical laboratory scientist.

Pathologists' assistant

A specialized category of laboratory professional holding a specialty certification.

Phlebotomy technician

A certified technician part of the laboratory team responsible for collecting blood specimens.

CLIA '88

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments; federal regulations establishing standards for laboratory personnel and testing.

Waived Tests

A CLIA category of simple laboratory examinations that carry no personnel regulations for testing sites.

Provider-Performed Microscopy (PPM)

A specific CLIA category of microscopy testing performed by healthcare providers that lacks personnel regulations.

Laboratory Director

The Department Chairman who sits at the top of the clinical laboratory organizational hierarchy.

Anatomical Pathology

A primary laboratory division containing histology, cytology, cytogenetics, and autopsy services.

Laboratory Medicine Sections

The primary division encompassing molecular diagnostics, point-of-care testing, and core testing sections like chemistry and hematology.

Support Services

The laboratory division responsible for specimen processing, phlebotomy, clerical services, and information services.

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

The hospital administrator who oversees the Vice Presidents of various hospital services, including clinical services.

Vice President Clinical Services

The executive who manages pathology, clinical laboratories, radiology, pharmacy, and outpatient services.

COLA

Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation; one of the three primary laboratory accrediting organizations.

CAP

College of American Pathologists; a primary organization responsible for the external accreditation of laboratories.

The Joint Commission (TJC)

One of the three primary accrediting organizations providing external oversight to laboratories.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act passed in 1996 to protect patient confidentiality.

CMS Direct Access

A final rule by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services granting patients direct access to their lab results.

Standard of Care

The degree of care a reasonable person would take to prevent injury to another.

ASCLS Code of Ethics

Principles of conduct defining a laboratory professional's responsibility toward patients, colleagues, the profession, and society.