FROM THE EDITOR


Getting back on track with lab accreditation


By Kristine Russell Executive Editor


to assist in the delivery of accurate diagnostics to our physicians that is integral to their ability to assist patients in their care. Our ability to follow consistent standards and document our processes will ultimately result in patient safety, including our own lab personnel safety. As part of the process, there are a number of organizations who grade our ability to follow guidelines and standards by accrediting our actions within our labs.


A


According to Wikipedia – “Accreditation is the independent, third-party evaluation of a conformity assessment body (such as certification body, inspection body or laboratory) against recognized standards, conveying formal demonstration of its impartiality and competence to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks (such as certification, inspection and testing).” The accreditation process does improve the ability to deliver accurate and rapid diagnostics and improves our efficiency resulting in error reduction. The process validates what we do and proves that we have a system of standard procedures that aims to improve quality and patient safety. I recently attended an interesting session on lab accreditation that highlighted a number of areas in which clinical labs were struggling to keep up with accrediting standards and guidelines. The session was part of at the Executive War College in New Orleans in April. The presenters were from The Joint Commission, College of American Pathologists, COLA, and A2LA. The discus- sion reviewed common deficiencies found during accreditation surveys and areas that are overlooked when making your lab assessment ready. As most would suspect, many of the problem areas they listed could be related to staffing levels and the time needed to ensure that these areas are covered consistently. Top deficiencies mentioned by all four agencies included: • Personnel competency assessments • Procedure manuals • Proficiency testing


• Equipment inspections and maintenance records • Surveillance of patient results and records • Evaluations of same test results performed with different instruments or at different locations • Timely reporting of critical results of tests and diagnostic procedures • Personnel or lab director not fulling responsibilities of their position


Accreditation should be embraced by our laboratory profes-


sionals as a welcome process that proves we have the ability and dedication to save lives – and we do every day! I welcome your comments, questions and opinions – please send them to me at krussell@mlo-online.com


s laboratorians, the priorities in our facilities depend on systems that focus on quality management. This would allow us


MEDICAL LABORATORY OBSERVER Vol.54, No.6


Group Publisher/Executive Editor Kristine Russell


krussell@mlo-online.com


Managing Editor Gail Castanho gcastanho@endeavorb2b.com


Assistant Editor Erin Brady


ebrady@endeavorb2b.com


Graphic Artist Patti Connors pconnors@endeavorb2b.com


Audience Development/List Rentals Laura Moulton lmoulton@endeavorb2b.com


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MLO EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD


John Brunstein, PhD, Biochemistry (Molecular Virology) President & CSO PathoID, Inc., British Columbia, Canada


John A. Gerlach, PhD, D(ABHI) Laboratory Director Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI


Barbara Strain, MA, SM(ASCP), CVAHP Principal, Barbara Strain Consulting LLC Formerly Director, Value Management University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA


Jeffrey D. Klausner, MD, MPH Professor of Preventive Medicine in the Division of Dis- ease Prevention, Policy and Global Health, Department of Preventive Medicine at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.


Susan McQuiston, JD, MT(ASCP), SCy(ASCP) Instructor, Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI


Donna Beasley, DLM(ASCP) Director


Huron Healthcare, Chicago, IL


Anthony Kurec, MS, H(ASCP)DLM Clinical Associate Professor, Emeritus SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY


Suzanne Butch, MLS(ASCP)CM Freelance Consultant, Avon, OH


, SBBCM , DLMCM


Paul R. Eden, Jr., MT(ASCP), PhD Lt. Col., USAF (ret.) (formerly) Chief, Laboratory Services 88th Diagnostics/Therapeutics Squadron Wright-Patterson AFB, OH


Daniel J. Scungio, MT (ASCP), SLS, CQA (ASQ) Consultant at Dan the Lab Safety Man and Safety Officer at Sentara Healthcare, Norfolk, VA


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