To improve proficiency testing of clinical laboratories.

November 9, 2005

Mr. DEAL of Georgia (for himself, Mrs. MYRICK, and Mr. PRICE of Georgia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

To improve proficiency testing of clinical laboratories.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Proficiency Testing Improvement Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENT OF PROFICIENCY TESTING OF CLINICAL LABORATORIES.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services--

(1) may not, during the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, conduct (or cause an entity with which the Secretary contracts to conduct) the proficiency testing referred to in section 353(f)(4)(B)(iv) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 263a(f)(4)(B)(iv));

(2) shall revise such proficiency testing (or cause such testing to be revised)--

(A) to reflect the collaborative clinical decision-making of laboratory personnel involved in screening or interpreting cytological preparations;

(B) to revise grading or scoring criteria to reflect current practice guidelines;

(C) to provide for such testing to be conducted no more often than every 2 years; and

(D) to make such other revisions to the standards for such testing as may be necessary to reflect changes in laboratory operations and practices since such standards were promulgated in 1992; and

(3) shall make the revisions required by paragraph (2) before resuming proficiency testing referred to in such section.

END