title: Following the Rules Set by Accreditation Agencies and Governing Bodies to Maintain In-Compliance Status: Applying Critical Thinking Skills When Evaluating the Need for Change in the Clinical Laboratory.
abstract: Maintaining an in-compliance clinical laboratory takes continuous awareness and review of standards, regulations, and best practices. A strong quality assurance program and well informed leaders who maintain professional networks can aid in this necessary task. This article will discuss a process that laboratories can follow to interpret, understand, and comply with the rules and standards set by laboratory accreditation bodies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD kbyrne@cc.nih.gov.
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
authors.forename: Kimberly Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
authors.forename: Erika M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Reese
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation; D001782:Blood Donors; D001793:Blood Preservation; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D064790:Clinical Laboratory Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D033161:Government Regulation; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011786:Quality Control; D013850:Thinking