Public Health Lab Making Improvements After CMS Accepts Action Plan

The Oklahoma State Department of Health received acceptance from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the Public Health Lab's correction plan.

This comes after an investigation was done on the lab back in September. Interim Commissioner of Health Keith Reed said the investigation was welcome because it will only better help them to run the lab.

“As a regulatory agency, OSDH welcomes the CMS review of our facility, which provides us the opportunity to ensure the highest quality of services possible to Oklahomans,” said Reed. “Moving a lab to a new location presents challenges but also brings with it new opportunities to improve quality standards and operational efficiency. The CMS review was timely to help us with this endeavor and we are excited to better position our Public Health Lab for long-term success.” 

Some of the key actions that will be taken include modernized lab security, reviewed and adjusted staff training protocols, resolved reporting on COVID-19 sequencing results and more.

“Although some aspects of the original report were not as favorable as we would have liked, the path of correction is clear and more than attainable,” said Secretary of Health and Mental Health Kevin Corbett. "We are well on our way to fully implementing our plan. CMS has confirmed we’ve met the requirements of being in compliance. We are looking forward to their follow-up visit.”