The Joint Commission has been evaluating and accrediting hospital laboratory services since 1979 and freestanding laboratories since 1995. Today, The Joint Commission accredits almost 2,000 organizations providing laboratory services. This represents almost 3,000 Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment-certified laboratories, including freestanding laboratories, such as reference labs and in vitro fertilization labs, and those connected with other health care organizations such as ambulatory surgical centers and long term care facilities.
For more information see Facts about Laboratory Accreditation.