Implementing QMS and Accreditation Standards in Medical Diagnostics for Quality of Services

Implementing quality management system (QMS) in medical laboratories ensures quality techniques and enhances the laboratory staff skills development. It mainly prevents frequent inaccuracies which occur in both clinical and laboratory procedures due to lack of regulatory compliance, safety precautions and inadequate facilities including less trained or inexperienced manpower. Current standards enforce comprehensive quality assisted operations in all laboratory activities. Awareness of standards and implementing the standards in laboratory process and procedures and monitoring the same by following quality management system show that personnel knowledge is considered one of important aspect which is linked to high percentage of laboratory error/reworking (non conformities). The purpose of this study is to give overview on the implementation of quality management system based on essential standards NABH (MLP), NABL (ISO 15189:2012) for medical laboratories and how the standards helps to increase the consistency in quality services in diagnostic laboratories. By checking important quality indicators such as EQAS, TAT and feedback has shown great reduction in the laboratory errors/rework percentages after implementing the QMS as per the standard requirements in the laboratory. In addition it also helps to develop a good communication between the clinicians and laboratory personnel in the laboratories to ensure continual improvement in the laboratory practices which satisfies the customer requirements.