CLSI Blog Articles

Read the latest articles about CLSI and laboratory standards in the official CLSI Blog. Browse our most recent blog articles below.

COVID-19 Testing Information and Resources for Laboratories

As of April 8, 2020, the global health threat now known as coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) had infected more than 1.3 million people in over 200 countries and caused more than 79,000 deaths [1]. According to the “Operational Planning Guidelines to Support Country Preparedness and Response” developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), a coordinated global response plan that primarily involves prevention of human-to-human transmission of the virus, caring and monitoring of infected patients, and rapid diagnosis of the disease followed by effective infection control measures is required to control the COVID-19 pandemic [2].

Performing a Biological Risk Assessment in the Laboratory

While laboratory workers are always vigilant against laboratory-acquired infections, uncertainty has arisen in the medical laboratory community about the most effective way to protect against COVID-19. The United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides guidelines for safe COVID-19 specimen processing, as well as information about proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for laboratory workers.

Regulation of Laboratory Tests Is About to Change

The bipartisan bill, Verifying Accurate Leading-edge IVCT Development Act (VALID), was introduced to Congress on March 5, 2020. This legislative effort, if enacted, will overhaul the regulatory oversight of in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) in the United States and create a single system for regulation of LDTs and manufacturers’ IVCTs.

Performing Pediatric Phlebotomy

Taking blood samples from children can be difficult for the phlebotomist. Ensuring safety while accounting for a pediatric patient’s emotional and physical well-being is of the utmost importance.

Measurement Procedure Comparison in the Clinical Lab

Measurement procedure comparison is one of the most common techniques used by both manufacturers and medical laboratorians to estimate the bias of an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) measurement procedure relative to a comparator.

CLSI’s Partnership with Tanzanian Laboratories

At the invitation of US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), CLSI’s Global Health Partnerships (GHP) visited Tanzania, one of the first countries with which GHP partnered, in 2005. This was to be the first of many visits and a long-term partnership.

Interference Screening in Clinical Chemistry

Interference screening in clinical chemistry is conducted by paired-difference testing: samples with and without the interferent are measured, and the measurand concentration difference is determined.

Testing Methods for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex (MTBC)

M24 is an important foundation guideline that supports CLSI’s library of antimicrobial and antifungal susceptibility testing documents.

AST Updates

On February 26 and 27, 2020, CLSI will host its annual M100 updates webinar.

CLSI Internal Audit Workshop at MedLab Middle East

CLSI’s GHP team will be hosting a workshop on February 9-11th at the Medlab Middle East exhibition in Dubai. Participants will learn how a laboratory can establish an internal audit program to enhance the quality of its services through continual improvement.