Using standard and institutional mentorship models to implement SLMTA in Kenya.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Laboratory Quality Management
• Health Systems Strengthening

Background:

• Kenyan public sector laboratories historically lacked robust quality management systems.
• The Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programme was initiated in 2010.
• Mentorship challenges for regional laboratories led to the exploration of a 'twinning' model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of different mentorship models within the SLMTA programme.
• To assess the impact of a 'twinning' mentorship approach on laboratory quality improvement in Kenya.

Main Methods:

• Eight regional laboratories participated in the SLMTA programme.
• Three laboratories were 'twinned' with accredited research labs for institutional mentorship.
• Five laboratories received standard mentorship.
• Progress was measured using the Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) checklist, with scores converted to a star rating.

Main Results:

• At baseline, all laboratories scored below one star (mean 32%).
• Twinned laboratories showed significantly greater improvement, reaching one to three stars by mid-term and two to four stars by exit.
• Non-twinned laboratories showed slower progress, reaching one to three stars only by exit.

Conclusions:

• The twinning model, fostering partnerships between ministries of health and accredited research laboratories, shows significant promise for accelerating laboratory quality improvement.
• Accredited laboratories can serve as valuable resources for sustainable quality enhancement through programmes like SLMTA.