LABORATORY MEDICINE
We implement a Quality Implementation Training Program to improve laboratory quality that improves patient care.
RELIABLE LABORATORY DATA :
​
IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS THE RIGHT DIAGNOSIS
Reliable and accurate laboratory data is crucial to determine the true prevalence of diseases, to support clinical diagnosis, as well as rationalize and monitor treatment. For epidemiological purposes this data is critical for the surveillance and control of diseases of public health importance, and to provide timely responses to epidemics and disease control.
But the majority of hospitals cannot consistently provide even basic laboratory services in a quality-controlled fashion. Alarming error rates of 50% are reported by the WHO. This results in inadequate treatment attributing to global antibiotic resistance, increased mortality, and an inability to determine the true prevalence of diseases. Taken into account that about 70% of all clinical diagnosis depend on the laboratory result, laboratory errors have wide-reaching implications for patient outcome and cost effectiveness.
Despite international efforts, the implementation of quality assurance standards remains in its infancy. There is a great gap between available training and the practical implementation on the ground. We have designed a training program that addresses the challenge of insufficient implementation of quality assurance in diagnostic laboratory testing. Our "Quality Implementation Training" (QIT) guides clinical laboratories stepwise towards compliance with international standards set by the "International Organization for Standardization" (ISO). Our curriculum is novel due to its contextualization - it is specifically designed for the work environment and culture of a resource-poor, developing country.
The Nkhoma Hospital is the training center of the "Quality Implementation Training".
​
A CONTEXTUALIZED TRAINING PROGRAM TO IMPROVE LABORATORY QUALITY
IMPROVES PATIENT CARE
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT AND QUALIFICATION OF MULTIPLIERS LEADS TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY
The Nkhoma Hospital is a member of a network that provides 40% of the healthcare facilities and 80% of healthcare training sites in Malawi. Each district hospital within these network operates its own laboratory. The QIT- Program aims to train laboratory specialist from each of these hospital laboratories. The graduates are qualified to be trainers and become multipliers in the laboratories across the country, improving the medical landscape of their country independent of Western aid. This improves patient care and empowers people living in developing regions.