CDPH Concludes Inspections of Valencia Branch Laboratory

On Monday, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released the results of a routine inspection and a complaint investigation of the Valencia Branch Laboratory (VBL), the state’s primary COVID-19 testing laboratory. The CDPH Laboratory Field Services (LFS) closed its two inspections of the VBL after multiple visits and detailed assessment of the laboratory. No sanctions were imposed by CDPH and all previously identified deficiencies with the laboratory have been corrected.

Recall, earlier this year, California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) officials announced that laboratory inspectors found significant deficiencies during a routine inspection. According to CDPH, in addition to addressing the identified deficiencies, the state required laboratory operator PerkinElmer to go through an independent inspection and accreditation process with the College of American Pathologists (CAP). The laboratory received full accreditation following an inspection in March 2021.

CDPH LFS additionally conducted a complaint investigation following reports in local media about staff training and qualifications and document handling issues. CDPH investigated the complaints, finding no evidence to support the allegations of improper document and data destruction. The laboratory addressed other deficiencies identified by CDPH.

The full press announcement from CDPH is available here.