Which regulation mandates quality control in clinical laboratories in the United States?

• A. CLIA'88 mandated QC
• B. HIPAA
• C. OSHA
• D. FDA

Answer: (A)

Quality control in clinical laboratories is mandated by the CLIA regulations enacted in 1988. These regulations establish the standards for laboratory testing on human specimens and require laboratories to implement ongoing QC procedures, use control materials, monitor performance with calibration and proficiency testing, and document results along with any corrective actions when QC criteria are not met. This framework is designed to ensure test results are accurate and reliable for patient care. Other options don’t govern routine lab QC: HIPAA covers patient privacy and information security, OSHA focuses on workplace safety, and the FDA regulates the safety and effectiveness of medical devices and reagents but does not prescribe day-to-day QC procedures for clinical laboratories.