Hello laboratorians,
On July 26, 2022, the Federal Register issued a proposed rule about laboratory personnel standards for both testing personnel and high complexity laboratory directors (HCLD). CMS recognizes the need for an update in CLIA. The bad news: the proposed rule could allow nurses with their current educational backgrounds to perform tests of the highest complexities with training. The good news: CLIA could be updated to include the Doctorate of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) as a qualified HCLD. The changes are open for comments and we need to flood the comment box!
The American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) composed a message about nurses and lab testing. Follow the prompts and your message will be sent straight to the CMS. The message can be edited to include your comments about the DCLS if you choose. Below is the link to both the Federal Register for your review, and to the ASCP message.
The ASCLS is not the only organization that is currently reviewing this document and mounting a response. There are opponents of the DCLS achieving CLIA HCLD status and they are organizing as well. Laboratorians, we need your voice! Thanks for all you do!
Federal RegisterASCP Message------------------------------
Biz Fisher MHA-HI, MLS(ASCP)
ASCLS Indiana Past-President
Vincennes, Indiana
fisherelizabeth91@yahoo.com------------------------------