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SB 1385

Public Health - As enacted, requires a medical laboratory supervisor to be readily available for consultations during all hours when tests are performed; prohibits a medical laboratory supervisor from being required to be on laboratory premises. - Amends TCA Title 68.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Bo Watson

Tennessee law now allows medical laboratory supervisors to consult remotely rather than be physically on-site during testing, maintaining oversight responsibility while reducing facility staffing requirements.

Pub. Ch. 232
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Bill Summary · SB 1385

Legislative bill overview

SB 1385 modifies Tennessee's medical laboratory oversight requirements by allowing supervisors to remain "readily available" for consultation during testing hours rather than requiring their physical presence on-site. The law maintains supervisory responsibility while introducing flexibility in how that supervision is provided, presumably enabling remote consultation arrangements.

Why is this important

Medical laboratory supervisors are responsible for quality control and regulatory compliance in clinical testing environments. This change could reduce operational costs for laboratories and increase supervisor flexibility, but it raises questions about whether remote availability provides equivalent oversight for time-sensitive quality issues, sample handling concerns, or emergencies that might require immediate physical intervention.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition of "readily available": The bill doesn't specify response time requirements, technical means of communication, or what constitutes adequate availability, potentially creating enforcement ambiguity
  • Quality assurance implications: Remote supervision may delay identification and correction of technical problems, sample contamination, or safety violations compared to on-site presence
  • Patient safety standards: Critics may argue that clinical laboratory work warrants on-site supervision, while supporters contend that modern communication technology makes remote oversight adequate for most scenarios

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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