Effective April 1, 2019, BC’s Agency for Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is responsible for processing requests for approval of laboratory facilities, specimen collection stations, and related services.
All new or facility and specimen collection station relocation requests must undergo both approval and accreditation processes and adhere to the moratorium exemption criteria. Approval staff will review exemption requests for demonstrated urgent health, safety, or significant urgent business needs. The LSA specifies certain mandatory criteria for the consideration and approval of laboratory facilities, specimen collection stations, and service related activities, including applications for
- new facilities and specimen collection stations
- the relocation and expansion of existing facilities and specimen collection stations
- a transfer of material financial interest
- significant changes in the capability or capacity to provide laboratory services
The Outpatient Laboratory Facilities Manual provides direction to the public and private facility and specimen collection stations owners and operators.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC must accredit all laboratory facilities through the Diagnostic Accreditation Program (DAP). Once receiving confirmation of DAP approval, the Minister of Health will issue an official certificate of approval to the facility.
As part of the Laboratory Facility Approval process, the Minister of Health assigns one or more category levels to each approved laboratory facility, reflecting the laboratory services the facility is authorized to provide. These categories are intended to correspond with the DAP accreditation disciplines.
Operators may only submit reimbursement claims for fee items included in the category for which that facility is approved. If the capability or capacity of an approved laboratory facility changes, the Minister of Health may assign a new category.
- Facility Approval Categories
