
What is a moderate or high complexity laboratory test system?
Clinical laboratory test systems are assigned a moderate or high complexity category on the basis of seven criteria given in the CLIA regulations. For commercially available FDA-cleared or approved tests, FDA scores the tests using these criteria during the pre-market approval process.
What are the levels of testing complexity according to CLIA?
CLIA categorizes laboratory testing based on its complexity and risk of harm to the patient. The levels of testing complexity are as follows, from least to most complex: "Complexity" refers to the testing methodologies used and the degree of judgment and interpretation required to perform the test.
Is histology covered by CLIA regulations?
A: Currently, histology is not addressed at all under the CLIA regulations. As a result, the tests we perform are not classified as complex, despite the nature of some of our tests growing increasingly complex.
What is histology and Histotechnology?
Histotechnology is a hands-on profession, requiring mastery of equipment, excellent manual dexterity, and practice staining tissue samples. Therefore all histology students are required to do a clinical rotation, where they learn these hands-on skills.

What qualifies as high complexity testing?
High complexity tests include those that require clinical laboratory expertise beyond normal automation to perform. If the output of the data requires some expertise, these would also be highly complex.
What is considered moderate complexity testing?
Low scores indicate low complexity, with tests obtaining a total score of ≤12 being categorized as moderate complexity. Tests with final scores >12 are categorized as high complexity.
What are the 3 levels of testing categories as defined by CLIA?
Current Regulation: CLIA established three categories of tests: waived tests, moderate complexity tests, and high complexity tests.
What are the four levels of CLIA complexity?
The FDA categorizes diagnostic tests by their complexity—from the least to the most complex: waived tests, moderate complexity tests, and high complexity tests.
Is histology moderate complexity testing?
Review of the CLIA categories of tests by complexity indicates that many tasks and tests performed in the histopathology laboratory are in fact of high complexity (CFR 42 §493.5, CFR 42 §493.17).
Is microbiology considered high complexity testing?
The high complexity testing environments that include blood banking, microbiology identification procedures, microscopy, etc. require a high level of independent judgment and should only be performed by MTs.
Is immunohistochemistry high complexity testing?
The IHC assay is a high-complexity test and encompasses many complicated working steps in the preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic phases. Any potential errors occurring in any of these steps will result in unreproducible and unreliable results.
What are 3 examples of CLIA waived tests?
3. What is waived testing? By the CLIA law, waived tests are those tests that are determined by CDC or FDA to be so simple that there is little risk of error. Some testing methods for glucose and cholesterol are waived along with pregnancy tests, fecal occult blood tests, some urine tests, etc.
What are 4 examples of CLIA waived tests?
The specific tests that are deemed to be CLIA waived are:Non-automated urinalysis using dipstick or tablet reagents.Ovulation tests.Urine pregnancy tests.Fecal occult blood.Hemoglobin-copper sulfate.Erythrocyte sedimentation rate.Blood glucose monitoring utilizing devices specifically for home use.Spun microhematocrit.More items...
What are the three categories of testing under CLIA and under which category is physician performed microscopy listed?
Three categories of tests have been established: waived complexity, moderate complexity, including the subcategory of provider-performed microscopy (PPM), and high complexity.
Is a manual differential a high complexity test?
A manual diff, which is classified as a high complexity test by the federal government, may be per- formed by an associate degree holder with an appropriate clinical laboratory training; whereas the blood smear re- view, according to the CLA of the CAP, must be performed by a hemato- morphologist.
What is moderately complex?
Moderately complex means to a lower degree than complex, less extensive. Language Features:Moderately complex: Moderately complex: Sentences are both simple and compound, some with more complex constructions.
What is considered high complexity medical decision making?
High Complexity Medical Decision-Making truly is complex. Either the patient is quite ill or the physician must review a significant amount of primary data. This level of MDM is required for a level 3 hospital progress note (99233) or a level 5 office visit with an established patient (99215).
What are the levels of complexity for the clinic visits?
The complexity levels for an examination are the same as those for history, while the complexity levels for medical decision-making are “straightforward,” “low complexity,” “moderate complexity,” and “high complexity.”
What is a low complexity MDM?
Low Complexity Medical Decision-Making requires only slightly more intellectual energy than straightforward MDM. The acuity of care remains minimal. For example, this level of MDM is required for a level 3 office visit (99213) or a level 3 office consult (99243).
What are the 4 levels of medical decision making?
The four levels of medical decision making are: Straightforward (99202 and 99212) ▪ Low (99203 and 99213) ▪ Moderate (99204 and 99214) ▪ High (99205 and 99215) During an encounter with the patient, multiple new or established conditions may be addressed.
What is CLIA testing?
A: CLIA (The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988) are regulations are federal standards for facilities that test human specimens in health assessment. The regulations use a scoring system to provide a complexity level to various tests performed at these sites, based on the knowledge, experience, training, and supplies required to perform them. Tests with the lowest scores are considered waived, moderate testing scores are considered moderate complexity, and tests with the highest scores are high complexity. Laboratory personnel need to meet minimum education and training factors to do testing of moderate and high complexity. Learn More.
What is considered a moderate test?
Tests with the lowest scores are considered waived, moderate testing scores are considered moderate complexity, and tests with the highest scores are high complexity. Laboratory personnel need to meet minimum education and training factors to do testing of moderate and high complexity. Learn More.
Is histology a complex test?
A: Currently, histology is not addressed at all under the CLIA regulations. As a result, the tests we perform are not classified as complex, despite the nature of some of our tests growing increasingly complex.
How Do I Become a Histotechnologist?
For someone who chooses a career in the histology laboratory, the exploration never ends. Take a closer look:
What is it like to be a histotechnician?
What it Takes to be a Histotechnician. All histotechnicians have certain common characteristics: they are problem solvers, they like challenge and responsibility, they are accurate, reliable, work well under pressure and are able to finish a task once started, they communicate well, both in writing and speaking,
What states require a histotechnologist to be licensed?
Requirements for Histotechnologists can vary from state to state, with several states such as Florida, Nevada, and New York requiring additional state licensure.
What is an HTL?
The HTL is an advanced-level certification that allows the holder to perform high-complexity testing, such as performing gross examinations, IHC, and digital pathology. The HTL requires a bachelor's degree and either graduating from an accredited histology program or on the job training.
Is a histotechnology certification required?
Certification is not required to work in histology but in the highly competitive market it is strongly encouraged. Histotechnology is a hands-on profession, requiring mastery of equipment, excellent manual dexterity, and practice staining tissue samples.
