is important that patients take more control determining where their laboratory tests are carried out, since the results may have a profound effect on their well being. Today, in the West, patients are insisting on having a say where their samples are analysed, and are actively asking about the standards applied in the laboratories used to generate the results. Those questions are legitimate concerns that the clinical community needs to address openly and freely.”


BENEFITS OF ACCREDITATION Medical laboratories also experience many benefits by becoming accredited. In addition to reducing risks accreditation encourages the sharing of best practices and stimulates innovation. Dr Mashl D.Al-Nawab commented: “In the private sector there is a substantial commercial imperative for a laboratory to seek accreditation as it will help all to recognise its competence, provide a valuable tool for management and helps ensure that the needs and requirements of all users are met.” One of the chief benefits of accreditation to ISO 15189 is


that it is globally recognised. A series of Mulitlateral Mutual Recognition Arrangements within the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) means that laboratories accredited to ISO 15189 will have their cer tificates and test


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One of the chief benefits of accreditation to ISO 15189 is that it is globally recognised


repor ts accepted in over 80 different economies across the world, representing 95% of global GDP. Overseas procurers can have confidence that laboratories


accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) have been assessed to the same standard as local providers. This ‘tested once, accepted everywhere’ approach presents an excellent oppor tunity for medical laboratories to develop new business. It eliminates the need for costly and time consuming re-evaluation in each country, helping to create a level playing field when bidding for contracts in overseas territories. Undergoing the accreditation process can also have a positive


benefit on the laboratory’s bottom line, as Dr Mashl D.Al-Nawab explains: “Accurate and standardised clinical testing directly contributes to the control of all healthcare costs. This cost control is mainly achieved by accurately targeting all treatment modalities once a precise diagnosis is reached, removing the cost and anguish of fur ther treatment that would be needed if the initial diagnosis was not exact.” Seeking to allay any concerns over the cost of the accreditation


process itself, Dr Mashl D.Al-Nawab said: “Strict quality control and quality assurance programmes do have an inherent cost attached to them that can initially increase test prices, but at the same time it will greatly improve accuracy. Without exception, reliable and accredited laboratory repor ting will always be more cost effective in the long run.” A fur ther consideration in the choice of accreditation body relates to the use of External Quality Assessments (EQA) of


034 MEDLAB MAGAZINE ISSUE 1 2012


proficiency testing schemes. Whilst UKAS accreditation requires all laboratories to par ticipate in such schemes, some other accreditation providers stipulate the use of their own schemes, which can be high cost. The benefits of accreditation were confirmed in a recent UKAS


survey of pathology laboratories. Over 80% of respondents stated that accreditation added value to their laboratory services, whilst 77% felt that undergoing assessment was a valuable experience. Fur ther, 85% thought that accreditation helped to improve the delivery of pathology services, whilst 80% agreed that it directly benefitted patients. Dr Mashl D.Al-Nawab said: “The main benefit we get from accreditation is that we can always prove to ourselves and to others that we have done all in our power to carry out due diligence for the group we are there to serve i.e. our patients. The independent peer review process that accreditation allows is second to none to reassure all concerned that we have not overlooked minute details and that we constantly strive to improve service provision.”


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