Improving quality management systems of laboratories in developing countries: an innovative training approach to accelerate laboratory accreditation.
The Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) program was developed to promote immediate, measurable improvement in laboratories of developing countries. The laboratory management framework, a tool that prescribes managerial job tasks, forms the basis of the hands-on, activity-based curriculum. SLMTA is implemented through multiple workshops with intervening site visits to support improvement projects. To evaluate the effectiveness of SLMTA, the laboratory accreditation checklist was developed and subsequently adopted by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO). The SLMTA program and the implementation model were validated through a pilot in Uganda. SLMTA yielded observable, measurable results in the laboratories and improved patient flow and turnaround time in a laboratory simulation. The laboratory staff members were empowered to improve their own laboratories by using existing resources, communicate with clinicians and hospital administrators, and advocate for system strengthening. The SLMTA program supports laboratories by improving management and building preparedness for accreditation.
Yao
Katy
K
International Laboratory Branch, Global AIDS Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
McKinney
Barbara
B
Murphy
Anna
A
Rotz
Phil
P
Wafula
Winnie
W
Sendagire
Hakim
H
Okui
Scolastica
S
Nkengasong
John N
JN
D000068:Accreditation; D000288:Administrative Personnel / Q000193:education*; D000349:Africa; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D003906:Developing Countries; D007753:Laboratories / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000193:education*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011786:Quality Control; D014481:United States; D014944:World Health Organization