What does the medical abbreviation CLIA mean?

The medical abbreviation CLIA stands for Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. CLIA is a set of regulations in the United States that set standards for clinical laboratories and their personnel. The goal of CLIA is to ensure the accuracy and reliability of laboratory testing and to protect the health and safety of patients.

CLIA was first enacted in 1967 and has been amended several times since then. The most recent amendments, known as CLIA '88, were implemented in 1992. CLIA '88 established new standards for laboratory personnel, quality control, and patient testing.

CLIA is enforced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS conducts regular inspections of clinical laboratories to ensure that they are complying with CLIA regulations. Laboratories that fail to comply with CLIA may be subject to fines, penalties, or even closure.

CLIA is an important part of the healthcare system in the United States. By setting standards for clinical laboratories, CLIA helps to ensure the accuracy and reliability of laboratory testing and protects the health and safety of patients.