Volume 72 - Spring / Summer 1999	Download

Complying With Essential 12A by Mark D. Kellogg, PhD, MT(ASCP) Member, NAACLS CLSPRC

Recently I was asked to clarify for a program director how to comply with Essential 12A. There has been much discussion on the part of the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Programs Review Committee (CLSPRC) at NAACLS, and it was suggested that we share with readers of the NAACLS News some suggestions for compliance. What follows is my response to the program director who posed questions, such as:

"During our recent re-accreditation process, we were cited for marginal compliance with Essential 12A7: acquisition and evaluation of laboratory information systems. All of our affiliated clinical sites have LIS's, the students use computers on campus and during clinical rotations. Our students also take a one semester course (3 credits) called "Introduction to Microcomputers and their Application. " What more should we be doing to fully meet this Essential?

Within Essential 12A there are two items related to computers. Essential 12A6 requires that the curriculum for CLS/MT students include "principles and practices of computer science, " while 12A7 requires the "acquisition and evaluation of laboratory information systems. " These are two distinctly different issues.

The first step in determining your compliance with these Essentials should be to list the activities currently in your curriculum that might provide instruction in these two areas. Are your students taking courses that specifically deal with computers and their application? Do you have sections that provide instruction in the selection and evaluation of instruments? Do you have LIS vendors talk with students? These are just some of the activities that might work toward compliance with Essential 12A6 and 12A7.

After completing this exercise, look at the objectives associated with these activities. Ask yourself the following questions: 1) At the completion of these activities, would a student understand the steps involved in the selection and acquisition of laboratory information systems, and would they understand how to evaluate a LIS in terms of meeting the needs of a clinical laboratory? 2) Do students know the meaning of "needs analysis, " "system evaluation, " "cost justification, " and "RFP"? If you can answer yes to those questions, you're probably meeting the Essential. If not, it is time to add some material to the curriculum, add new objectives and take the next step in the continual improvement process that NAACLS accreditation is based upon.

Typically, the "principles and practices of computer science" (Essential 12A6) is taught as a separate course, and required in the general education components of many universities. If your students take courses with titles such as "Introduction to Computing Sciences, " "Introduction to Microcomputers, " "Applications of Desktop PCs, " etc. , and, upon the completion of these courses, students are capable of using the typical personal computer and its applications (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, Internet browsers, email, etc. ), then you are covering the requirements of Essential 12A6.

If this is the only exposure your students have, you are probably not in compliance with 12A7. Simply using a LIS during clinical rotation is not sufficient to achieve compliance with 12A7. Students must receive instruction in the acquisition and evaluation of laboratory information systems.

Do you still feel that you need to add more to the curriculum, particularly for 12A7? There are a number of excellent resources available to assist you in meeting this Essential. Most textbooks in clinical chemistry, instrumentation and laboratory management now include a section related to Laboratory Information Systems. Some of these are basic introductions to the hardware and software associated with LIS', but are great starting points. Others are more detailed, targeted for the practicing manager, but could provide excellent resources to help you design your course material.

You can find numerous articles in journals related to the selection and acquisition of LIS. The articles range from general to detailed, but give a nice overview of the acquisition process.

The Web also has a number of resources related to Laboratory Information Systems. This is just a brief, introductory listing, and in no way denotes acceptance by NAACLS as "correct and accurate. "

http://www. cap. org/htmlchecklist_html/cklst01.html
College of American Pathologists (CAP) checklist section one (Laboratory General: Laboratory Computer Services. ) Here you can find the questions that CAP considers appropriate in evaluating Laboratory Information Systems.

http://www. braley. com
The Braley consulting service has a number of articles (under "Publications" on their homepage) relating to laboratory information systems, including:

http://www. braley. com/braley/pub/selection.htm
A discussion of the evaluation of laboratory information systems

http://www. braley. com. brealey/pub/myths. htm
A discussion of some common myths associated with the procurement of laboratory information systems.

CLMA Probe Issue 22: Laboratory Information Systems

For more information about Probe, contact Beth Barrow at 610/995-9580, ext. 223.

NCCLS (Not NAACLS) has an article on the evaluation of software user interfaces, "Laboratory Instruments and Data Management Systems: Design of Software User Interfaces and End-User Software Systems Validation, Operation, and Monitoring; Approved Guideline (1995)." This identifies important factors that designers and laboratory managers should consider when developing new software-driven systems and selecting software user interfaces.

Top of the News
			Complying With Essential 12A by Mark D. Kellogg, PhD, MT(ASCP) Member, NAACLS CLSPRC
			NAACLS Elections Held by Olive M. Kimball, EdD Executive Director
			NAACLS to Conduct Workshops at ASCLS Annual Meeting by Megan Hennessy Eggert Meetings and Publicity Coordinator
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			Bits ‘n’ Pieces
			Dear Dr. NAACLS Definition of Primary Faculty
			Dear Dr. NAACLS Proposed Changes for CLS/MT Essentials
			Executive Director’s Corner The Value of Accreditation by Olive M. Kimball, EdD Executive Director
			President’s Report Essentials for the Future by Joeline D. Davidson, MBA, CLS(NCA), MT(ASCP) President, Board of Directors
			Programs to be Site Visited Fall 1999/Winter 2000 Cycle

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