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Introduction
Accurate and appropriate diagnostic testing is an indispensable factor in improving global health and reaching the Millennium Development Goals. Ensuring quality of diagnostic laboratory services is essential to achieving the best possible care for patients and increasing the effectiveness, efficiency and accountability of laboratory services.
During several international workshops on laboratory issues, stakeholders have recommended that national reference laboratories aim to meet globally-recognized standards of diagnostic laboratory performance, such as ISO15189. In addition, they have recommended that countries establish quality standards for regional, district, and community laboratories. These should be based on international standards, but take into account country-specific needs and local factors, such as relevant regulations, the organization of the country's laboratory system, and resource constraints.
Course participants
The course is open to diagnostic laboratory managers who would like to introduce a quality management system and improve the organization and management of their laboratories.
- Proficiency in English is required.
- No prior exposure to quality management is needed to follow this course.
Programme
At the end of the course, participants will be able to assess current laboratory performance, and design and plan the implementation of a quality management system for improving their laboratory’s services. Participants will also have improved their management skills, which are needed to facilitate this process.
- The course will consist of interactive lectures, discussions and exercises.
Participants will first be introduced to principles of quality and the organizational and management requirements for good quality laboratory services. The focus will be on planning and implementing a laboratory quality system approach, including quality control, internal and external assessments, establishing a quality management system and planning for change. Participants will be trained in the management functions, roles, responsibilities and skills expected from a laboratory manager, including work flow organization, laboratory performance monitoring and human resource management. At the end of the course, participants will conduct a laboratory audit to bring their newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice.
After the course KIT arranges the opportunity for participants to stay in contact with each other via a digital community, so that participants continue to learn from each others’ laboratory improvement efforts and experiences.
Important administrative information
- Applications will only be considered when they are accompanied by a letter of commitment from the sponsor. The letter of commitment must include official letterhead, date and name of course, contact person at funding organization and his/her signature, name of applicant.
- Applicants must cover their own travel and subsistence costs. KIT can provide information on suitable hotels.
- Applicants are responsible for the timely arrangement of any visa required.
- KIT does not have scholarships available.
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Please note: We will only be able to continue the course when applications and full payments have been made of at least 15 course attendants before 17 August 2012.
For further questions please e-mail: Coosje Tuijn, C.Tuijn@kit.nl
