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The impact of SLMTA in improving laboratory quality systems in the Caribbean Region

Filetype[PDF-1.56 MB]


  • English
    • Details Supporting Files You May Also Like

    Details:

    • Alternative Title:
      Afr J Lab Med
    • Personal Author:
    • Description:
      Background

      Past efforts to improve laboratory quality systems and to achieve accreditation for better patient care in the Caribbean Region have been slow.

      Objective

      To describe the impact of the Strengthening of Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) training programme and mentorship amongst five clinical laboratories in the Caribbean after 18 months.

      Method

      Five national reference laboratories from four countries participated in the SLMTA programme that incorporated classroom teaching and implementation of improvement projects. Mentors were assigned to the laboratories to guide trainees on their improvement projects and to assist in the development of Quality Management Systems (QMS). Audits were conducted at baseline, six months, exit (at 12 months) and post-SLMTA (at 18 months) using the Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) checklist to measure changes in implementation of the QMS during the period. At the end of each audit, a comprehensive implementation plan was developed in order to address gaps.

      Results

      Baseline audit scores ranged from 19% to 52%, corresponding to 0 stars on the SLIPTA five-star scale. After 18 months, one laboratory reached four stars, two reached three stars and two reached two stars. There was a corresponding decrease in nonconformities and development of over 100 management and technical standard operating procedures in each of the five laboratories.

      Conclusion

      The tremendous improvement in these five Caribbean laboratories shows that SLMTA coupled with mentorship is an effective, user-friendly, flexible and customisable approach to the implementation of laboratory QMS. It is recommended that other laboratories in the region consider using the SLMTA training programme as they engage in quality systems improvement and preparation for accreditation.

    • Subjects:
    • Source:
      Afr J Lab Med. 3(2)
    • Pubmed ID:
      27066396
    • Pubmed Central ID:
      PMC4826060
    • Document Type:
      Journal Article
    • Funding:
      CC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United States
    • Collection(s):
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