Table 4.

Introduction of accreditation agencies for the improvement of clinical laboratory

Accreditation agencies	Time frame	Introduction of quality techniques
College of American Pathologists	1946–1996	Certification of hemoglobin standards.
		The professional component in the laboratory.
		Laboratory management index program.
		Cytology policy statement.
		The legal status of pathology.
		Surgical pathology policy.
	1997–2000	Implementation and further advancement of advocating improvement.
	2001–2005	Unannounced inspection programs.
		Several trainings.
	2007–2009	CAP 15189 is a voluntary and non-regulated accreditation to ISO 15189.
		Multiyear initiative.
	2011–2020	Biorepository accreditation program.
		Pathologist quality registry.
		SARS-CoV-2PT.
ISO 15189	First published in 2003	Role of the laboratory in the training and education of health staff.
		Turnaround times.
	Revised in 2007	To align more closely with ISO/IEC 17205.
	Third edition in 2012	Revised the previously published layout and added a new section on laboratory information management.
Joint Commission	2010	Evidence bases lab standards.
		Address the patient safety and quality.
		Survey methodology.