Medical laboratory quality and accreditation in Jordan.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate and describe the current status of quality regulations and accreditation standards in the medical laboratories in Jordan.


METHODS
Describe the demography of Jordan. Classify the medical laboratories by health sectors. Describe the authority bodies in regard to health sectors and medical laboratories. Review the current by laws of licensing a medical laboratory, quality regulations, and accreditation projects currently active in Jordan.


RESULTS
Jordan is a developing country in the Middle East with limited resources, young population, but special success in education and health sectors. Medical laboratory services are being provided by many sectors. In regard to licensing to open a private laboratory, regulations are set and applied well. Regulations with regard to quality are set, but are not uniformly applied. Accreditation is a new concept, a voluntary process, and been granted to few laboratories by international accreditation bodies. Two local accreditation projects have started licensing to open a private laboratory is well regulated.


CONCLUSIONS
Quality regulations are set, but not uniformly applied. Accreditation is a new concept and needs to be encouraged and improved.
Chemistry and Endocrinology Laboratories, Al-Basheer Hospital, Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan. zarka99@hotmail.com
Ala S
AS
Qutishat
D000068:Accreditation / Q000592:standards*; D007597:Jordan; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D008007:Licensure, Medical; D011786:Quality Control