Last month, Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) announced the launch of a totally redesigned website viewable and searchable at www.clsi.org. The site was designed in direct response to CLSI’s research into what our customers want when interacting with our website.

The new site provides users with a streamlined and informative view of the organization.  Special features range from improved navigation to implementing new Forums software for online committee collaboration.

“One of the major changes that customers were looking for is information on new documents. Therefore, we created the Recently Published Documents navigation box on the lower, left-hand side of every page,” says Lola Pugliese, MBA, MS, CLSI, Vice President, Finance and Member Services. She adds, “Customers can view the three most recently published documents. After clicking on the box, readers are directed to a page containing the 10 newest published documents.”

Visitors to the site find the aesthetic inviting and easy to use. Gerald A. Hoeltge, MD, a pathologist in transfusion medicine at the Cleveland Clinic and CLSI’s president-elect, is particularly pleased with the new home page display of the newest publications. Dr. Hoeltge comments, “With the newest documents on the left column and drop-down menus across the top linking to the rest of the website, what I want to see is never more than one click from the home page.”

Awny Estafanous, Intercounty Labs, Ltd., and a customer who recently placed a purchase on the new CLSI website, agrees, “The drop menus on the top of the home page included all of the links I needed to visit and were well-categorized.”

For the many members and volunteers who vote on consensus documents and collaborate with document development committees, the new Forums software is an exciting feature.

Paul J. Mountain, MSc, MT(ASCP), CLSI volunteer, says, “I was really impressed with the ease of use. In my role on area committees and working groups, the reminders of approaching voting deadlines will be extremely useful. I also found having the document and backup material on my desktop when preparing my vote very helpful. This will make committee work much easier and quicker.”

Echoing these sentiments, Dr. Hoeltge comments, “I really like the speed of the new Forums. You have one-click access to the document you are voting on along with supporting information. Even if I only have a few minutes, I can download what I need to study, and cast my vote between planes.”

James H. Nichols, PhD, DABCC, FACB, director, Clinical Chemistry, Baystate Medical Center, likes the streamlined process for e-mails during document development and revision. He explains, “During document construction and revision, many e-mails with large attachments are circulated to subcommittee members. Many institutions limit the size of e-mail boxes. With Forums, the documents reside on the CLSI server; therefore, revisions are announced in small e-mails to committee members. This is so much more functional. There is one draft that everyone is viewing. I can stay abreast of revisions without filling up my inbox with large e-mails.”

The redesigned online store was another significant change. Estafanous, who usually buys new document updates to keep his laboratory’s procedures updated in reference to CLSI guidelines, says, “The new electronic store actually looks like a real shop window advertising new issues, latest updates, and promotions. At a glance, you can see what is new, instead of searching for individual products.” He adds, “The redeem coupon icon was easy to find contrary to the old website, which sometimes required us to place a phone call to customer service when buying a package. To be able to download purchased items right away is magnificent.” 

Dr. Hoeltge concludes, “I would encourage all users of CLSI documents to try the website at least once. You’ll come back. For CLSI volunteers, the website was redesigned especially for you. Use it often.”

Pugliese recommends the Resources section, which has links to many common CLSI documents and guidebooks; the new Global Health section; CLSI Around the World; the redesigned online store; and event registration as sections of the website worthy of visiting. “At CLSI, we have always taken customer service very seriously, talking and listening to our customers and incorporating their comments and suggestions is extremely important to us. We have made every effort to have the redesigned website reflect the voice of our customers.”

CLSI welcomes questions, comments, and suggestions about the new website: e-mail customerservice@clsi.org or call +610.688.0100.
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