Quality Assurance and Accreditation Report of Intercountry Consultation, Yangon, Myanmar, 16-19 November, 1999

Recommendations

     At Laboratory Level

1.      Each laboratory must have or write and/or adapt a procedure manual detailing all procedures undertaken by it. Central laboratories should make appropriate procedure manuals available to peripheral laboratories. The procedure manual should serve as the basis for training within the laboratory and interlaboratory training.

2.      Internal quality control (IQC) must form an integral part of diagnostic or public health work undertaken by the laboratory.

3.      Central laboratories should organize NEQAS for peripheral laboratories.

4.      Laboratories conducting NEQAS should in turn participate in IEQAS.

5.      Laboratories running IQC and participating in NEQAS/IEQAS should strive for accreditation from recognized accreditation authorities.

6.      Each laboratory may deploy a quality manager and a safety manager on a rotational basis from the existing staff to oversee these activities.

     At National Level

     All Member Countries should:

1.      Formulate and implement a national laboratory policy.

2.      Identify suitable central laboratories for conducting NEQAS in all relevant disciplines of diagnostic and public health medicine and provide support -material, financial and manpower - to these designated laboratories.

3.      Collate an information inventory of laboratories, tests and support networking.

4.      Transmit information regarding QA activities to WHO for dissemination among other countries.

5.      Introduce orientation training for clinicians and nurses in order to strengthen appropriate use of laboratory services.

     To WHO/International Agencies

They should:

1.      Reiterate the need for quality assurance in health laboratory services and the need for resource allocation by Member Countries.

2.      Facilitate the development of a QA programme in the Region and help designated central laboratories to conduct NEQAS by providing appropriate technical assistance.

3.      Assist and support Member Countries to formulate their national laboratory policy.

4.      Encourage laboratories in the Region to implement good laboratory practices by making available suitable reference material.

5.      Encourage networking of laboratories in the Region and further promote intercountry cooperation and exchange of information.

6.      Organize regular annual informal consultations on laboratory quality assurance.