COLA and TÃœV America Form Accreditation Certification Alliance
COLA and TÃœV America announce a strategic alliance designed to offer ISO 9000 management systems certification and laboratory accreditation services to medical laboratories around the world.
(PRWEB) October 23, 2003
Columbia, Maryland (PRWEB) October 22, 2003. COLA (www. cola. org) and TÃœV America (www. TUVamerica. com) announce the formation of a strategic alliance between the two organizations designed to offer ISO 9000 management systems certification and laboratory accreditation services to medical laboratories around the world.
COLA (formerly Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation) is a premier provider of laboratory accreditation services and TÃœV America is a leading management systems registrar, as well as a product safety, testing and certification organization.
“The new accreditation alliance will provide laboratories, for the first time, a harmonized process for laboratory accreditation in compliance with CLIA 88, and the quality management review process of ISO 9001:2000,” stated Doug Beigel, CEO of COLA. “Previously, these two services have been offered by two separate organizations, independent of one another, requiring two entirely different operational audits, certifications and fee structures. By harmonizing these processes, we can now reduce both fees and management involvement for our customers, while helping to improve their operations and ensure regulatory compliance to CLIA 88. This aligns with our mission to be a leader in forming unique alliances to improve the quality and safety of healthcare around the world”.
Under CLIA 88, the federal requirement for clinical laboratory quality assurance, laboratories must be inspected in order to obtain Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. COLA is one of six private organizations deemed by the federal government to accredit laboratories. ISO 9001:2000 is a quality management system standard with its roots in industry. The ISO standard is used as part of the certification process whereby organizations demonstrate the quality of their management approach through the certification process. Many laboratories seek both forms of certification and the alliance between TÃœV and COLA bundles these services together.
“TÜV America is proud to partner with COLA, a premier provider of laboratory accreditation services,” stated Mark Alpert, Senior Vice President of TÜV America. “In teaming together with COLA, we have creatively combined two review processes into one, offering our customer even more value.”
About COLA
COLA is a nonprofit organization working to promote excellence in the healthcare industry through programs of voluntary education, consultation, and accreditation. Since 1988, COLA has achieved success by supplying quality products and outstanding customer service to thousands of medical professionals nationwide. COLA has surveyed over 33,000 laboratories. Annually, COLA surveys approximately 3,400 laboratories. COLAÂ’s survey process is automated which provides quick turnaround time and allows laboratories to view their lab data online.
COLAÂ’s distinction in the marketplace lies in a unique approach to business that emphasizes education and partnership. Even with a perpetually changing healthcare environment, COLA works to provide comprehensive services that allow clients to work efficiently and affordably. COLA focuses on providing cost-effective methods to expand the knowledge base of laboratory personnel. COLALink (www. COLA-Link. org) is a state of the art learning management system and e-Learning delivery system. In addition to the courses developed for Labuniversity (www. labuniversity. org), COLA utilizes its course development expertise to develop courses for healthcare organizations and manufacturers and can host these courses on the COLA learning management system. COLA also offers a selection of enduring materials to assist COLA participants in achieving laboratory excellence. These innovative approaches have permitted COLA to extend it services worldwide.
About TÃœV America Inc.
TÜV America Inc., a subsidiary of Group TÜV Süddeutschland, the leading TÜV organization in Germany, employs over 200 professionals throughout the NAFTA region, including Danvers (MA), New Brighton (MN), San Diego (CA), San Ramon (CA), Knoxville (TN), Monterrey (Mexico) and many additional locations. TÜV America Inc. offers a wide range of services through the globally recognized brand names of TÜV Product Service, Management Service and Industry Service.
TÃœVÂ’s Management Service division is an internationally recognized certification organization providing management system certification services as a leading ISO 9000 Registrar in North America, Asia and Europe. Headquartered in Danvers, Massachusetts, the organization maintains a full-time audit staff in over a dozen locations throughout North America offering a full suite of ISO Management System certifications including ISO 9000, ISO 14001, ISO 13485/13488, and EN 46000 certification services. Additionally, TÃœV provides CE Marking assistance, mechanical/electrical product safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), NRTL and SCC Certification Body services, and performs European Union Notified Body services for a variety of EU directives. Globally, TÃœV has issued over 130,000 product and 12,000 quality management system certifications. For more information, visit www. TUVamerica. com.
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