Major Challenges of Medical Laboratories for ISO 15189 Accreditation in Selected Government Hospitals of Addis Ababa, Debrebrhan, and Bishoftu, Ethiopia
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Date
2017-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Numerous global initiatives in Africa have focused on clinical laboratory
harmonization and standardization, and accreditation. Though accreditation has many advantages
and advocated largely, it is still challenging for the laboratories to fulfill all requirements and the
criteria of accrediting bodies. So identifying the different challenges faced by the laboratories
during the process of accreditation is important for proper planning and action to resolve those
challenges.
Objective: To assess the major challenges of Medical Laboratories for ISO 15189 accreditation in
selected government hospitals of Addis Ababa, Debrebrhan, and Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
Method: Cross sectional study design using qualitative and quantitative data collection approach
was used from March to May 2017. The data for this study was gathered using structured
questionnaire and in-depth interview. Stratified-proportional sampling technique was used. Data
was entered, cleaned using EPI-Data 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 software for further
processing and analysis. Simple descriptive statistics like percentages and frequency was used. The
qualitative data from in-depth interview were categorized and discussed.
Result: In this research 175 questionnaire respondents and 24 key informants from 12 hospitals
were included to identify the major challenges facing medical laboratory’s accreditation process.
All respondents had awareness about the accreditation process but only 79% of them have
involved in the process in one or more ways. More than half of the respondents (51%) had training
experience related to either laboratory LQMS or ISO accreditation. High turnover of trained and
experienced laboratory professionals for better job opportunity and education was reported to
mainly affect the accreditation process. Routine work load, poor equipment quality, shortage and
quality of laboratory supplies, inconsistent mentorship and training, strict assessment process and
low attention and commitment from top management were among the major challenges identified.
Conclusion: Even though there exists an effort to fulfil accreditation requirements, achieving and
maintaining accreditation was still challenging for many facilities due to; trained staff turnover,
training and mentorship inadequacy, low staff satisfaction, low quality and quantity of equipments,
low top management support, and poor quality laboratory facility. This study highlights the need
for stronger engagement, commitment and advocacy with all stakeholders to harmonize and lead
accreditation program effectively.
Keywords: LQMS, accreditation, challenge, ISO 15189, SLMTA/SLIPTA, Medical laboratory
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Keywords
LQMS, Accreditation, Challenge, ISO 15189, SLMTA/SLIPTA, Medical laboratory