CLN Daily
How good are you at spotting laboratory deficiencies? Put your inspection skills to the test by joining the engaging Tuesday session, “I spy with my laboratory inspector eye: Accreditation citation risks,” which is designed to help laboratorians identify common accreditation pitfalls and strengthen their approach to inspection readiness.
The session will be moderated by Kacy Peterson, DCLS, MBA, MLS (ASCP)CM, DLM(ASCP), director of laboratory optimization and clinical integration at Avera Health in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Peterson brings extensive experience leading her laboratory through rigorous inspections conducted by multiple accreditation organizations. “Inspection and accreditation affect everyone in the laboratory world and are important for maintaining quality and safety,” she said.
While the importance of accreditation is widely recognized, maintaining continual inspection readiness can be challenging. Standards evolve, new requirements emerge, and laboratories often face obstacles when implementing changes. According to Peterson, “Laboratories can face barriers to standard adoption, and the changing standards can be confusing.”
Whether ADLM 2026 attendees serve as inspectors, the targets of inspection, quality leaders, or laboratory managers, this session offers valuable insights for anyone involved in laboratory accreditation. Building on the familiar childhood game of “I Spy,” Peterson and her fellow speakers have designed a session that encourages participants to view inspection through a fresh lens. By introducing elements of gamification and nostalgia, they aim to transform a topic often associated with stress and uncertainty into an engaging and approachable learning experience.
A particular strength of this session is the opportunity to learn about inspection through speakers with expertise in multiple regulatory agencies. Through presentations covering ISO 15189, The Joint Commission, and the College of American Pathologists (CAP), attendees will gain a broader understanding of the regulatory landscape and the common challenges associated with maintaining compliance.
Peterson will open the session with a talk on “Inspector Gadget’s guide to ISO 15189.” Drawing on her experience leading Avera Health to become the first clinical laboratory in the United States to achieve ISO 15189 accreditation, she will share practical lessons learned from the accreditation journey. Her presentation will explore the benefits of ISO 15189 certification, the resources and preparation required to achieve accreditations, and strategies for building a culture of continuous quality improvement.
The second presentation, “Watson, we have a problem,” will be delivered by Elia Mears, MS, MT(ASCP), of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Mears will provide an insider’s perspective on the JCAHO inspection process, highlighting key considerations for both laboratorians preparing for accreditation surveys and professionals serving as inspectors.
The session will conclude with “Nancy Drew with an inspection walk through” presented by Carrie Leipzig, MLS(ASCP), a clinical laboratory quality and regulatory consultant with Fairview Health Services in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Drawing on her extensive experience with CAP accreditation, Leipzig will discuss practical approaches for how to navigate inspections and maintain compliance.
Peterson’s goal is to help attendees build confidence in the inspection and accreditation process and apply this confidence within their own laboratories. Her motivation for developing this session stems from firsthand experience navigating an increasingly complex and constantly evolving accreditation and compliance landscape.
“Laboratorians cannot simply rest on their laurels from past successful inspections,” she said. As accreditation requirements continue to evolve, laboratories must adapt, maintaining current knowledge of standards and proactively identifying areas for improvement.
For laboratorians seeking to sharpen their inspection skills, deepen their regulatory knowledge, and gain practical insights from leaders across multiple accreditation frameworks, this session promises both education and engagement. After all, what better way to brush up on such a high-stakes topic than through a thoughtful and enjoyable exploration of the clues, challenges, and best practices that define successful laboratory accreditation? Join the session to discover whether you can spot the next accreditation risk before the inspectors do!