(a) A limited services rural hospital (LSRH) shall provide basic laboratory services essential to the immediate diagnosis and treatment of the patient consistent with nationally recognized standards of care for emergency services, patient population, and services offered.(b) The LSRH must ensure laboratory services are available, either directly or through a contractual agreement with a certified laboratory that complies with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA 1988) in accordance with the requirements specified in Code of Federal Regulations