Improving quality in national reference laboratories: The role of SLMTA and mentorship

• Main Authors: Rosemary A. Audu (Author), Catherine C. Onubogu (Author), Nkiru N. Nwokoye (Author), Eke Ofuche (Author), Shirematee Baboolal (Author), Odafen Oke (Author), Elizabeth T. Luman (Author), Emmanuel O. Idigbe (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: AOSIS, 2014-09-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.4102/ ajlm.v3i2.200; 2225-2002
• Keywords: SLMTA; laboratories; Nigeria; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Medicine (General); R5-920
• Source: African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, Vol 3, Iss 2, Pp 1-7 (2014)

Background: The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research houses two reference laboratories: the virology and tuberculosis laboratories. Both were enrolled in the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programme. Objective: To describe the impact of SLMTA and discuss factors affecting the results, with an emphasis on mentorship. Methods: The SLMTA programme was implemented from April 2010 through November 2012. Participants attended three workshops and executed quality improvement projects; laboratory auditors evaluated performance using a standard checklist. The virology laboratory did not receive mentorship; however, the tuberculosis laboratory had an international mentor who visited the laboratory four times during the programme, spending two to four weeks embedded within the laboratory during each visit. Results: There was an overall improvement in the performance of both laboratories, with the virology laboratory increasing 13% (from 80% at baseline to 93% at exit audit) and the tuberculosis laboratory increasing 29% (from 66% to 95%). These scores were maintained nine months later at the surveillance audit. Conclusion: The SLMTA programme resulted in improved and sustained quality management performance for both laboratories. Mentoring was a possible factor in the substantial improvement made by the tuberculosis laboratory and should be considered in order to augment the training received from the SLMTA workshops.