The Impact of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee Recommendations on Microbiology Laboratories

The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee (CLIAC) was mandated by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) and established in 1992 to provide advice to the Department of Health and Human Services on regulation of laboratory testing and improving laboratory quality. Since then, CLIAC has met regularly and recommended regulatory changes to CLIA, provided input on good laboratory practices, and discussed critical issues related to clinical and public health testing, the laboratory workforce, and laboratory systems research. The Committee has been effective in driving changes to microbiology quality control, which have led to a decreased burden and lower laboratory costs without sacrificing quality. The issues CLIAC addresses are complex and sometimes controversial, yet members have said their time on the Committee is worthwhile and that CLIAC has a positive influence on laboratory medicine. This Committee will remain a vital resource for providing guidance as laboratory testing continues to evolve.