COLA Inc. accredits more than 7,000 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-based program and standards enable clinical laboratories and staff to meet U.S. CLIA 88 and other regulatory requirements.
Our Mission
COLA, Inc. is a physician-directed
organization whose purpose is to promote health and safety through
accreditation and educational programs.
Our services are designed to improve your clinical laboratory as a whole, giving you confidence that your facility provides the best patient care. By weaving education throughout all of our services, we work with you to prepare your lab to meet regulatory requirements.
COLA Inc. helps you ensure accurate test results, run your lab in accordance with quality systems, and meet CLIA accreditation requirements in order to serve your patients better.
History
COLA Inc. was founded in 1988 as a private alternative to help laboratories stay in compliance with the new Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). In 1993, the Health Care Financing Administration (now CMS) granted COLA Inc. deeming authority under CLIA, and in 1997 The Joint Commission (TJC) also recognized COLA Inc.’s laboratory accreditation program.
After 70,000 surveys in which COLA Inc.’s practical, educational accreditation methods helped physician office laboratories stay in compliance with CLIA, COLA Inc. expanded its program offerings to include hospital and independent laboratories.
Committed to helping your laboratory achieve excellence in healthcare, COLA Inc. offers a range of services that takes the complexity out of accreditation. Our goal is simple – to use education to help you improve your lab and serve your patients better. By taking a partnership approach, we work with you to make the accreditation process simple, quick and tailored to meet your specific needs.
