Implementing laboratory quality management in Africa and central Asia: a model for healthcare improvement

Optimized laboratory services are recognized as an integral part of high-quality healthcare delivery. However, these services are often unavailable or substandard in resource-limited countries. The implementation of quality management systems (QMSs) in the laboratory can transform laboratory services and ultimately improve patient care in these settings.

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, through its Global Health Partnerships (GHP) program, has intervened in 32 laboratories to implement QMSs and improve performance. Standardized checklists were used before and after the structured intervention to quantify the impact of this program.

QMS implementation resulted in a statistically significant improvement in overall mean checklist scores. All participating laboratories demonstrated improvement in their quality and performance, with 13 laboratories achieving national accreditation within the time frame of this study.

A structured program that utilizes well-recognized, standardized checklists and has leadership and laboratory team support, professional training with onsite guidance (i.e. train the trainer) and access to professionals experienced with QMS implementation and maintenance can lead to significant improvements in quality in resource-limited countries.