Strengthening Clinical Laboratories
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70% of today’s medical decisions depend on laboratory test results, showing the important role of clinical laboratories in today’s healthcare system
255,000 certified laboratories across the country represent the cornerstone of diagnostic medicine today
11 billion laboratory tests are ordered annually—safety, quality, and cost effectiveness in laboratory testing are required for effective diagnosis and treatment of disease
Threats to national security and health can happen at any time, such as disease outbreaks, bioterrorist attacks, or chemical or radiological releases
Highly preventable diagnostic errors account for more than 64,000 deaths annually—the third leading cause of mortality in the United States
Patients in rural areas often experience barriers to healthcare and laboratory services that limit their ability to receive the care they need
Why CDC?
Strong clinical laboratories provide the foundation for accurate and timely disease diagnosis, prevention, and control to improve the health and safety of Americans.
CDC’s Division of Laboratory Systems is uniquely positioned to support clinical laboratories in several ways.
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PREPARE
Sustain a robust system of laboratories by developing technical guidance and delivering laboratory training that advance quality testing, effective reporting, and safe practices -
CONNECT
Promote patient-centered solutions to reduce diagnostic errors by connecting world-class physicians, laboratory professionals, and healthcare leaders through diagnostic management teams and other initiatives -
INNOVATE
Create technology-based decision-support tools, such as mobile applications, to support laboratory test selection and virtual reality trainings to enhance laboratory competencies -
RESPOND
Strengthen clinical laboratory response capabilities by establishing a national laboratory outreach communication system and providing access to available specimens in the CDC and ATSDR Specimen Packaging, Inventory, and Repository (CASPIR)—CDC’s biorepository
- Page last reviewed: May 11, 2017
- Page last updated: May 11, 2017
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