To address the issue of CLIA Regulations, two audioconferences were presented. The first audioconference, “CLIA Changes and Challenges: Impact on Accredited Clinical Laboratories” was held on July 28, 2004. The presenters included Rhonda Whalen, MS, MT(ASCP) with the CDC, Barbara Caro, MBA, MT(ASCP), a laboratory administrator, and Marilyn Sims, MT(ASCP) from the Joint Commission Resources, Inc. The program content consisted of highlighting the most significant changes of CLIA and addressed the impact that these changes may have on the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation programs. A pretest was administered to the participants prior to the program and was followed by a post test 6-8 weeks later. Review of the pretest and post test results indicate improvement in knowledge and understanding of the content presented.

A second audioconference, “Identification of Microorganisms in Cytology Specimens: Applicable CLIA Requirements” was co-presented by the CDC and the ASCP on February 23, 2006. The program faculty included E. Blair Holladay, PhD, CT(ASCP), Vice President, Executive Director of the Board of Registry and Nancy L. Anderson, MMSc, MT(ASCP), Senior Health Scientist with the CDC. After attending this program, participants should be able to: comprehend the CLIA requirements applicable to molecular amplification testing to detect and identify microorganisms in liquid based cytology specimens; assess the adequacy of current PT module enrollment; and list those microorganisms with public health reporting requirements that are currently identifiable via molecular testing of liquid based cytology specimens. A pretest was administered to the participants prior to the program and was followed up by a post test. Review of the pretest and post test results indicate that the training had the desired effect of increasing knowledge of applicable CLIA regulations.