Improving quality in national reference laboratories: the role of SLMTA and mentorship
Afr. j. lab. med. (Online)
;
3(2): 1-7, 2015. ilus
Article
in English
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1257296
ABSTRACT
Background:
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research houses two reference laboratories the virology and tuberculosis laboratories. Both were enrolled in the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programme.Objective:
To describe the impact of SLMTA and discuss factors affecting the results; with an emphasis on mentorshipMethods:
The SLMTA programme was implemented from April 2010 through November 2012. Participants attended three workshops and executed quality improvement projects; laboratory auditors evaluated performance using a standard checklist. The virology laboratory did not receive mentorship; however; the tuberculosis laboratory had an international mentor who visited the laboratory four times during the programme; spending two to four weeks embedded within the laboratory during each visit.Results:
There was an overall improvement in the performance of both laboratories; with the virology laboratory increasing 13% (from 80% at baseline to 93% at exit audit) and the tuberculosis laboratory increasing 29% (from 66% to 95%). These scores were maintained nine months later at the surveillance audit.Conclusion:
The SLMTA programme resulted in improved and sustained quality management performance for both laboratories. Mentoring was a possible factor in the substantial improvement made by the tuberculosis laboratory and should be considered in order to augment the training received from the SLMTA workshops
Full text:
Available
Index:
AIM (Africa)
Main subject:
Reference Standards
/
Quality Improvement
/
Laboratories
Language:
English
Journal:
Afr. j. lab. med. (Online)
Year:
2015
Type:
Article
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