Rapid Ascent From Zero Quality to International Organization for Standardization Accreditation: A Case Study of Hai Duong Preventive Medicine Center in Vietnam, 2012-2013.
OBJECTIVE
In 2012, the Vietnam Ministry of Health sought to improve the quality of health laboratories by introducing international quality standards.


METHODS
Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA), a year-long, structured, quality improvement curriculum (including projects and mentorship) was piloted in 12 laboratories. Progress was measured using a standardized audit tool (Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation).


RESULTS
All 12 pilot laboratories (a mix of hospital and public health) demonstrated improvement; median scores rose from 44% to 78% compliance. The public health laboratory in Hai Duong Province entered the program with the lowest score of the group (28%) yet concluded with the highest score (86%). Five months after the completion of the program, without any additional external support, they were accredited. Laboratory management/staff describe factors key to their success: support from the facility senior management, how-to guidance provided by SLMTA, support from the site mentor, and strong commitment of laboratory staff.


CONCLUSIONS
Hai Duong preventive medical center is one of only a handful of laboratories to reach accreditation after participation in SLMTA and the only laboratory to do so without additional support. Due to the success seen in Hai Duong and other pilot laboratories, Vietnam has expanded the use of SLMTA.
From the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Cuong Ngoc
CN
Duong
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.|Division of Global HIV and TB, International Laboratory Branch, Center for Global Health, Atlanta, GA.
Kyle B
KB
Bond
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Washington, DC.
Humberto
H
Carvalho
From the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hien Bui
HB
Thi Thu
National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Thuong
T
Nguyen
From the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Thomas
T
Rush
D000068:Accreditation; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D059232:Laboratory Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D011786:Quality Control; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012015:Reference Standards; D014744:Vietnam
Accreditation; ISO; Quality; SLMTA; Vietnam