Mekonnen Girma1,2, Adinew Desale3, Fatuma Hassen2, Abay Sisay2, Aster Tsegaye2. 1. School of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. 2. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 3. Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The World Health Organization African Regional Office recommends ISO 15189 standards to improve performance quality in sub-Saharan African laboratories. We specify challenges Ethiopian laboratorians encountered applying ISO 15189 standards. METHODS: From a structured survey at 12 Ethiopian government hospitals, 175 laboratory staff replied; all were aware of the ISO standards and 138 had been involved in the ISO 15189 inspection process. In addition, 11 laboratory heads, 10 quality officers, and three medical directors were interviewed in depth. RESULTS: Half or more respondents identified six challenges obstructing accreditation to a "large" or "very large" degree: (1) low management support, (2) inadequate training, (3) insufficient infrastructure, (4) excessive documentation, (5) little mentorship, and (6) increased accreditation-related workload. Interviewees added (7) poor equipment, (8) unavailable/poor-quality reagents, and (9) high staff turnover. CONCLUSIONS: The survey and interviews specified nine major challenges for Ethiopian government hospital laboratories that seriously obstruct meeting ISO 15189 demands.
OBJECTIVES: The World Health Organization African Regional Office recommends ISO 15189 standards to improve performance quality in sub-Saharan African laboratories. We specify challenges Ethiopian laboratorians encountered applying ISO 15189 standards. METHODS: From a structured survey at 12 Ethiopian government hospitals, 175 laboratory staff replied; all were aware of the ISO standards and 138 had been involved in the ISO 15189 inspection process. In addition, 11 laboratory heads, 10 quality officers, and three medical directors were interviewed in depth. RESULTS: Half or more respondents identified six challenges obstructing accreditation to a "large" or "very large" degree: (1) low management support, (2) inadequate training, (3) insufficient infrastructure, (4) excessive documentation, (5) little mentorship, and (6) increased accreditation-related workload. Interviewees added (7) poor equipment, (8) unavailable/poor-quality reagents, and (9) high staff turnover. CONCLUSIONS: The survey and interviews specified nine major challenges for Ethiopian government hospital laboratories that seriously obstruct meeting ISO 15189 demands.
Authors: Seth Attoh; Francis K M Tetteh; Mary McAddy; Kingsley Ackah; Richmond Kyei; Marcus Moroti; Cynthia Boateng; Laurinda Adusu-Donkor; Joseph Boafo; Alhassan Yakubu; Sarah Kwao; Emmanuel Sarkodie; Nana-Banyin Koranteng; Monica A Addo; Frederick Hobenu; Kwasi Agyeman-Bediako; Raymond D Fatchu Journal: Afr J Lab Med Date: 2022-07-19