SD32 - Clinical Laboratory Testing

  • Published: 1989
  • Author: General Assembly. Joint Subcommittee
  • Enabling Authority: Senate Joint Resolution 62 (Regular Session, 1988)

Executive Summary:
Recently, a national controversy related to clinical laboratory testing, particularly the analyses of Pap smears, developed which was fueled by a year-long investigation by the Wall Street Journal and coverage by several of the television journalists. The Wall Street Journal investigation resulted in the publication of an extensive review of cytology laboratories entitled "Lax Laboratories."

In Virginia, the public became concerned about clinical laboratory testing through the Wall Street Journal review, the national television presentations and a series of reports on medical laboratories which was aired by Channel 4 News in Washington, D.C. Virginia's citizens became aware that there are no state laws to regulate private laboratories performing Pap smear analyses and other types of medical tests. Many of these citizens contacted their representatives in the General Assembly to express their concerns.

As a result of an outpouring of public concern, five resolutions were introduced during the 1988 Session of the General Assembly which focused on the study of cytology laboratories, cytotechnologists or clinical laboratory testing (HJR 142, HJR 83, SJR 34, SJR 62 and SJR 68). In addition, one bill was introduced to require regulation of cytotechnologists. Two of the resolutions, SJR 62 and HJR 83, were approved. House Joint Resolution 83 requested the Council on Health Regulatory Boards to study the regulation of cytotechnologists. The vehicle for the present study, SJR 62, requested the formation of a Joint Subcommittee to study clinical laboratory testing.

As set forth in SJR 62, the Joint Subcommittee was asked to examine: the preparation and qualifications of laboratory technicians; clinical laboratory testing, including that performed in private physicians' offices; the need to regulate clinical laboratories; the appropriate supervision by medical directors; and the requisite standards for obtaining and preparing cell specimens for analyses.

The Joint Subcommittee consisted of two members of the Senate, Richard L. Saslaw of Springfield and Elliot S. Schewel of Lynchburg; three members of the House of Delegates, Robert W. Ackerman of Fredericksburg, Shirley F. Cooper of Yorktown and Robert Tata of Virginia Beach; and three citizen members, Dr. Joseph H. Callicott, Dr. Robert J. Faulconer and Dr. George P. Vennart. Dr. C.M.G. Buttery, Commissioner of the Department of Health, served as an ex-officio member of the Subcommittee. Delegate Cooper served as the chairman and Senator Saslaw served as the vice-chairman.