Issue link: https://ahint.epubxp.com/i/574474
34 ASHI Quarterly Third Quarter 2015 The ARB met July 30–Aug 1 in Chicago, Illinois, to discuss the laboratories in cycle 1, and other business topics The group also plans to meet at the annual meeting in Savannah, Georgia As this is my last quarterly article for the ARB as Program Director, I would like to say a special thank you to the ARB Executive Board and all of our wonderful commissioners Specifically thank you to Denise Owens, John Crawford, and Nancy Higgins, who are ending their terms as commissioners in September In addition, thank you to John Schmitz, who rotates off the ARB as inspector training chair (and past PD) as well, a position I look forward to serving in for most of 2016 Business Topics • With the outgoing members of the ARB departing, we welcome three new commissioners to this group: Marian Reside (Region 9), Brett Loehmann (Region 6), and Cal Stone (Region 2) Dr Myra Coppage will be taking over as Program Director and Nancy Higgins will be rotating up to the junior co-chair position • We have noticed that there have been a number of laboratories that have not been properly addressing the components of competency assessment Laboratories must define the test systems used in the laboratory (e g , HLA typing, crossmatching, solid phase antibody testing) and for each, assess and document the following six components: 1 Direct observations of routine patient test performance including specimen handling, processing, and testing 2 Monitoring the recording and reporting of test results 3 Review of test results, quality control records, PT results, and preventative maintenance records 4 Direct observation of performance of instrument maintenance and function checks 5 Assessment of test performance through testing previously analyzed specimens, internal blind testing samples, or external PT samples 6 Assessment of problem solving skills • Another issue that was noted during the recent ARB meeting was laboratory reports A number of reports uploaded as part of the application packet were noted to be missing components specified in the ASHI Standards The ARB encourages laboratories to review the relevant standards to ensure compliance • Dr Coppage and I attended the CMS Partner's Meeting along with Melissa Weeks in June in Baltimore, Maryland Many topics were presented and I wanted to highlight one of the most interesting statistics from CMS: the average age of laboratory personnel is 56 If the laboratory is struggling, it is most often linked to retiring staff and/or understaffing Laboratories should seriously think about succession planning with baby boomers that are or will retire within the next 10 years • CMS reaccreditation: Our current CMS accreditation will expire in April 2016 To renew this approval, we must comply with a few application and inspection activities As of press time, we have completed the application and submitted it to CMS The application includes a crosswalk of ASHI standards and CLIA regulations—a major undertaking— along with multiple other documents for their review The next steps will involve an inspection, where three representatives from CMS will visit our management offices at AH in New Jersey I will be present at this inspection, along with Dr Myra Coppage, and staff members Melissa Weeks and Kathy Miranda Hopefully at the end of this process our recertification will be published in the Federal Register in the spring of 2016 One last note: I'd like to thank all of our inspectors, commissioners, co-chairs, and all other committee and Board Members of ASHI This society is mostly run by volunteers and your service does not go unnoticed The collegial cooperation between committees is amazing And one more thing: thank you Melissa Weeks C O M M I T T E E A C T I V I T I E S Accreditation Update Linda S Buckert, CHS, MT(ASCP)SBB Laboratory Cycle Updates CYCLE 1: This cycle is nearing completion for 2015. All inspections have taken place, and the ARB reviewed cycle 1 labs at their recent meeting held in Chicago on July 31 and Aug. 1. The onsite inspections were performed between April 15 and June 15. A big THANK YOU to all of our hardworking inspectors and commissioners for making this large inspection cycle a success. We accredited one new laboratory this cycle – Acibadem Labmed HLA Typing Laboratory in Turkey (02-9-TK-01-1). Welcome to the ASHI community! Laboratories in this cycle can expect to receive their new accreditation letters and/or certificates at the end of August 2015. CYCLE 2: The interim and onsite applications for labs in cycle 2 were due July 1, 2015. The onsite labs in this group will be inspected between Aug. 15 and Oct. 15, 2015. Laboratories can expect to receive their re-accreditation letters and certificates in December 2015 pending successful review by the ARB. CYCLE 3: Cycle 3 is currently inactive. Links to the applications for the labs in cycle 3 will be sent out on September 1, 2015. Onsite labs in this cycle will be inspected between Dec. 15, 2015 and Feb. 15, 2016.