Launched in March 2003, Lab AdvantageTM is a collaboration between The Joint Commission, the American Society for Clinical Pathology (A.S.C.P.), and the American Proficiency Institute (API). Laboratories can use this program to gain significant cost savings. In addition to Joint Commission laboratory accreditation, the program offers members web-based API proficiency testing that meets the Joint Commission and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requirements as well as ASCP technological and scientific educational programs. A discount on all of these services is provided to Lab Advantage members. Joint Commission-accredited laboratories not using Lab Advantage can continue to use their existing proficiency-testing provider.
How it works
To sign up for Lab Advantage, call the Lab Advantage coordinator at (800) 333-0958, ext. 3013, or go to www.labadvantage.org. To receive a customized cost estimate for a Lab Advantage package, print and fill out a “Price Estimate Form” and fax it to (231) 941-7287.
About the collaborators
As nonprofit organizations, the Joint Commission, ASCP, and API have integrated their strengths to create this unique program to bring laboratories enhanced benefits at competitive prices:
- API is one of the largest proficiency testing services in the world, providing high quality proficiency testing services to more than 11,000 hospital, clinic and physician office laboratories nationwide.
- ASCP is the world’s largest organization representing pathology and laboratory medicine with 140,000 members, including board certified pathologists, clinical scientists, medical technologists and technicians. ASCP enhances the quality of the laboratory profession through comprehensive educational programs, publications and self-assessment materials.
- The Joint Commission is the nation’s predominant standards setting and accrediting body in health care. The Joint Commission evaluates, accredits and certifies more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including almost 2,000 labs equating to nearly 3,000 CLIA certificates.
For more information about Lab Advantage go to www.labadvantage.org or call the Lab Advantage coordinator at (800) 333-0958, ext. 3013 or e-mail questions about the program to LabAdvantage@api-pt.com.