What is the primary purpose of CLIA in laboratory testing?

The primary purpose of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) is to establish quality standards for laboratory testing on human specimens. This regulation ensures that laboratory tests are performed consistently and produce reliable results, which is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment decisions in patient care. CLIA emphasizes quality assurance processes, competency assessments, and proficiency testing to safeguard the integrity of laboratory testing across various settings, including hospitals and independent labs.

Focusing on this aspect is essential because laboratory tests greatly influence medical decisions; thus, maintaining high-quality standards is vital for patient safety and outcome effectiveness. The other options, while related to healthcare and testing, do not accurately reflect the main goal of CLIA; they pertain to different areas of healthcare practices, such as record-keeping, cost regulation, or personnel certification, rather than specifically addressing the quality of laboratory testing itself.