Press and Policymakers

AACC represents more than 9,500 professional laboratory scientists who work in hospitals, independent laboratories and the diagnostics industry worldwide. Our highly educated and trained members oversee and interpret billions of laboratory tests annually, which are used to diagnose and treat patients. In addition to directing and performing laboratory tests, many of our members are involved in developing new tests and devices that are used to improve patient care.

Clinical chemistry is the use of chemical processes in a clinical setting to evaluate patient health. It is one of several specialties -- such as microbiology, pathology, molecular biology or hematology -- practiced in the clinical laboratory. Most AACC members direct the laboratories that analyze body fluid samples, such as blood or urine, or samples of DNA, to gain information to help physicians diagnose or monitor a patient's state of health or disease. Advances in laboratory procedures enable physicians to make earlier, more definitive diagnoses and to tailor therapy for patients.

With the availability of new processes, such as molecular biology, many AACC members are applying their knowledge in new areas including genetic testing, prenatal screening and other aspects of medical laboratory science.

AACC's primary information resource for the general public about laboratory testing is Lab Tests Online, an award winning Web site, which provides up-to-date, easy-to-understand information on many clinical laboratory tests. Each test page includes a description of the test, why it is ordered, and what it can indicate. In addition, Lab Tests Online provides answers to a list of common questions associated with each test and gives users the opportunity to ask specific questions of their own. More than 1.5 million people use the site each month, and it has been translated and localized in 11 countries around the globe.

For Policymakers
AACC seeks to educate legislators and regulators on the value of laboratory testing and promotes policies to improve the quality of laboratory testing and expand patients' access to care. On our Web site there are a number of different sources of information, which identify issues of concern to us, as well as our views on those issues, including archives of our Position Statements, descriptions of our key legislative priorities and listings of key Regulatory and Reimbursement Issues. If you have any questions about AACC's government affairs activities, please contact Vince Stine.

For the Press
Our Press Room provides a variety of resources that you may find useful including Press Releases, and background information on our Association and its members. You may also apply for complimentary press registration for an upcoming educational event.  If you have any questions about our press activities, please contact Jean Rhame.