Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Quality Policy Manual
Quality Policy Manual
C. Amendment
Rev. Page Description of Amendment Amendment Effective Name &
No. No Date Date Signature of
approval
Authority of Issue: MHL "This is a controlled document for internal use only"
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Document No: MHL/QPM
Title: Quality Policy Manual Version No: 01
I. Table of contents
Contents
REVISION AND AMENDMENT..............................................................................................................1
I. Table of contents..................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................7
Vision:..........................................................................................................................................................8
Mission:.......................................................................................................................................................8
Values:.........................................................................................................................................................8
Beliefs:.........................................................................................................................................................9
1. SCOPE................................................................................................................................................10
2. NORMATIVE REFERENCES..........................................................................................................11
a.Abbreviations..........................................................................................................................................11
4. MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS...................................................................................................15
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Title: Quality Policy Manual Version No: 01
4.1.1 Organization.....................................................................................................................................15
4.1.1.1. General..........................................................................................................................................15
4.1.2.2Needs of users.........................................................................................................................18
4.1.2.6. Communication.............................................................................................................................20
4.2.2Documentation requirements.............................................................................................................24
4.2.2.1 General...................................................................................................................................24
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4.14.1 General............................................................................................................................................33
4.14.2 Periodic Review of Requests, and Suitability of Procedures and Sample Requirements..............34
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4.15.1 General............................................................................................................................................37
5. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS.....................................................................................................39
5.1 Personnel..............................................................................................................................................39
5.1.1 General......................................................................................................................................39
5.2.1 General..............................................................................................................................................42
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5.3.1 Equipment.........................................................................................................................................44
5.3.1.1 General...................................................................................................................................44
5.3.2.1 General...........................................................................................................................................46
5.3.2.7 Records..........................................................................................................................................47
5.4.1 General..............................................................................................................................................48
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5.4.4.1 General...................................................................................................................................49
5.5.1.1 General...........................................................................................................................................51
5.6.1 General..............................................................................................................................................53
5.6.2.1 General...................................................................................................................................53
5.6.3.1 Participation............................................................................................................................54
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Title: Quality Policy Manual Version No: 01
5.8.1 General..............................................................................................................................................56
5.9.1 General..............................................................................................................................................58
5.10.1 General............................................................................................................................................59
Annexes.....................................................................................................................................................62
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Title: Quality Policy Manual Version No: 01
REFERENCE............................................................................................................................................65
INTRODUCTION
Quality Policy Manual
This Quality Policy Manual may be cited as the MHLQuality Policy Manual. The QPM provides the
framework and guidelines for the Quality Management System (QMS) of the MH Laboratory.
During the preparation of this manual, reference was made to the standard, ISO 15189: 2012-Medical
Laboratories – Requirements for quality and competence. The process approach has been adopted to
fulfill the requirements of the aforementioned standard. The Laboratory Quality Management System
incorporates the interrelationship of its processes with those of other departments of the Hospital.
Purpose of the QPM
This QPM communicates policies, processes, and practices of MH laboratory. This manual has been
established to provide guidance to the laboratory and other stakeholders on the laboratory’s endeavors to
attain consistently accurate results, meet customer needs and expectations, and efficiently and
effectively execute its functions, which include:
a) Performance of a range of tests as required by the various units of MHL as well as public health
needs in the region.
b) Participation in research programs.
c) Investigations of Epidemics.
d) Supporting the work of nearby District Hospital Laboratories within the province
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e) In-Service training of laboratory personnel and hospital staff when necessary on relevant
programs and topics.
The QPM includes the history of the hospital and the scope of operations of the laboratory and the scope
of QMS. It also gives an overview of initiatives undertaken by MHL laboratory to meet the requirements
of the ISO 15189:2012 standard in a bid to consistently meet the requirements of its customers and
fulfill its stated mission and vision. The documented supporting procedures established for the QMS are
referenced in the QPM.
All laboratory personnel shall familiarize themselves with the documents, read, understand and apply
them.
Vision and Mission
Vision:
“To be the premier and renowned laboratory in the country recognized international center of
excellence for its best patient-centered quality of laboratory service, teaching and health
research.”
Mission:
“To protect and promote the health of the Community through addressing priority public
health problems and establishing and maintaining quality laboratory system”
Values & Beliefs
Values:
1. Respect the interest of client
2. Empower staffs
3. Appreciation, recognition and reward for best performers
4. Transparency and accountability
5. Efficient use of resources
6. Commitment to quality, equitable and proper health service
7. Partnership with all stakeholders
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1. SCOPE
The scope of the Quality Management System described in this quality policy manual covers
processes of MHL Laboratory and its departments which are Hematology, Clinical Chemistry,
Bacteriology, Parasitology, Blood Bank, and Serology. The QMS is applicable to all
examinations carried out within the MHL laboratory. The documentation, implementation and
maintenance of the QMS in MHL laboratory are based on the framework (requirements)
provided by ISO 15189:2012 Standard.
The Laboratory is providing in-house and referral service for the following list of tests:
1. Hematology (both manual and automation)
Automated CBC (complete blood count)
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reviews; analysis of quality control data; corrective actions; preventive actions; the quality
policy; and the quality objectives.
9. Corrective action: Action taken to eliminate the root cause of an identified nonconformity or
other undesirable situation.
10. Customer: Clinicians and patients.
11. Equipment downtime: An interruption of testing services due to breakdown of equipment or
unavailability of reagents.
12. Examination Procedures: Activities and steps related to performing laboratory tests.
13. Inter-laboratory comparison: Organization, performance and evaluation of methods on the
same or similar items by two or more laboratories according to pre-determined conditions
14. External Quality Assessment: Participation of laboratories in a comparison program to assess
the quality of their performance by comparison of their results with other laboratories through
analyzing proficiency panels.
15. Laboratory Head: Person with responsibility for, and authority over a laboratory.
16. Lab Management: Person(s) who direct and manage the activities of a laboratory.
17. Non-Conformity: The non-fulfillment of a requirement.
18. Performance characteristics: These include consideration of: measurement trueness,
measurement accuracy, measurement precision including measurement repeatability and
measurement intermediate precision; measurement uncertainty, analytical specificity, including
interfering substances, analytical sensitivity, detection limit and quantization limit, measuring
interval, diagnostic specificity and diagnostic sensitivity.
19. Post-analytical phase: Processes that follow the examination, including: review of results,
retention and storage of clinical material, sample (and waste) disposal, formatting, releasing,
reporting and retention of examination result.
20. Pre-analytical phase: Processes that start, in chronological order, from the clinician’s request
and include: the examination request, preparation and identification of the patient, collection of
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the primary sample(s), transportation to and within the laboratory, and end when the analytical
examination begins.
21. Preventive action: Steps taken to eliminate the cause of a potential nonconformity or other
potentially undesirable situation to prevent occurrence.
22. Primary specimen: Discrete portion of a body fluid, breath, hair or tissue taken for examination,
study or analysis of one or more quantities or properties assumed to apply for the whole.
23. Process: A set of interrelated or interacting activities which transform input into outputs.
24. Quality: A degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfils requirements.
25. Quality Assurance: Part of quality management focused on providing confidence that quality
requirements will be fulfilled.
26. Quality Audit: A systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining objective
evidence and evaluating it to determine the extent to which the audit criteria are fulfilled.
27. Quality Control: The operational techniques and activities that are used to fulfil requirements
for quality.
28. Quality Indicator: Measure of the degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfils the
requirement.
29. Quality Management System: Management system to direct and control an organization with
regard to quality.
30. Quality Objective: Something sought or aimed for, related to quality.
31. Quality Officer: An individual with appropriate qualifications and experience approved by top
management and has overall responsibility of the Laboratory Quality Management System.
32. Quality Policy: Overall intentions and direction of an organization related to quality as formally
expressed and authorized by top management.
33. Record: Any information that produces evidence (e.g. requests, examination results and reports,
instrument printouts, laboratory workbooks and worksheets, accession records, calibration
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records, quality control records, audit records, complaints and action taken, external quality
assessment records and instrument maintenance).
34. Referral laboratory: external laboratory to which specimens are sent for examination.
35. Specification: Document that states the requirements to which the product, service, or test
method has to conform.
36. Standard Operating Procedures: Step by step description of the implementation of a policy
including responsibility, according to set requirements.
37. Support staff: Appropriately qualified or trained and experienced personnel responsible for non-
technical activities in the Laboratory.
38. Technical personnel: Appropriately qualified or trained and experienced technical personnel
responsible for the technical/testing activities in the laboratory.
39. Traceability: Ability to trace the history, application or location of an item, activity or result by
means of documented records.
40. Turn Around Time: The interval between specimen receipt by the laboratory personnel and
releasing of results.
41. Validation: The act of confirming that a product, service, or test method meets the requirements
for which it was intended.
42. Verification: Confirmation, though provision of objective evidence, that the requirements have
been fulfilled.
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4. MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS
4.1 Organization and Management Responsibility
4.1.1 Organization
4.1.1.1. General
MHL Management strives to implement the Laboratory Quality Management System in
accordance to the requirements of ISO 15189:2012 in all operations and services at MHL.
4.1.1.2. Legal Entity
MHL laboratory is part of the hospital which is legally identifiable under the Federal Ministry of
Health (FMOH) and registered in Ethiopian Food, Medicine, and Health Care Administration and
Control Authority (FMHACA) of Ethiopia (Registration Number:----).
4.1.1.3 Ethical Conduct
MHL laboratory is committed to the principles of openness, integrity, confidentiality and
accountability in its dealings with all its customers.
MHL laboratory staff and its associates (i.e. technical assessors, contracted and subcontracted
specialists,) are required to observe the highest ethical standards when carrying out duties related
to MHL services.
The laboratory is guided by its policies on impartiality and confidentiality as described in the
Confidentiality procedure. In addition to those policies, the laboratory has work ethics agreement
which pave way for the smooth and professional execution of work.
All laboratory personnel are oriented on the ethical requirements as per the New Employee
Orientation Checklist.
All staff sign work ethics declaration form MHL which is placed in personnel file
MHL use specimen management manual and specimen management procedure to ensure that
staff treats human samples, tissues or remains according legal requirements.
4.1.1.4Laboratory Head
The Laboratory Head is responsible for the following:
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a) Providing effective leadership of the medical laboratory service, including budget planning and
financial management, in accordance with institutional assignment of such responsibilities.
b) To relate and function effectively with applicable accrediting and regulatory agencies, appropriate
administrative officials, the healthcare community, and the patient population served, and
providers of formal agreements, when required.
c) Ensuring that there are appropriate numbers of staff with the required education, training and
competence to provide medical laboratory services that meet the needs and requirements of the
users.
d) Ensuring the implementation of the quality policy.
e) Implementing a safe laboratory environment in compliance with good practice and applicable
requirements.
f) Serving as a contributing member of the medical staff for those facilities served, if applicable and
appropriate.
g) Ensuring the provision of clinical advice with respect to the choice of examinations, use of the
service and interpretation of examination results.
h) Selecting and monitoring of laboratory suppliers.
i) Selecting referral laboratories and monitoring the quality of their service
j) Providing professional development programs for laboratory staff and opportunities to participate
in scientific and other activities of professional laboratory organizations
k) Defining, implementing and monitoring standards of performance and quality improvement of the
medical laboratory service or services.
l) Monitoring all work performed in the laboratory to determine that clinically relevant information
is being generated;
m) Addressing any complaint, request or suggestion from staff and/or users of laboratory services
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n) Designing and implementing contingency plans, which are periodically tested to ensure that
essential services are available during emergency situations or other conditions when laboratory
services are limited or unavailable.
o) Planning and directing research and development, where appropriate.
4.1.2 Management Responsibility
4.1.2.1 Management commitment
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MHL Management regularly reviews the requirements of their customers through management
reviews, customer satisfaction surveys, review of customer and staff feedback and review of the
service agreements to ensure that all human and material resources are available to meet the
customers’ needs.
All reviews are done as per procedures for management review, customer service, resolution of
complaints and feedback and establishment and review of service agreements.
4.1.2.3. Quality Policy
AUARTHL management is committed to the implementation and the maintenance of the
Laboratory Quality Management System objectives according to the requirements of ISO
15189:2012, national and international regulations, documented quality policies and procedures
that ensure the laboratory to be a center of excellence in laboratory testing service provision.
Quality Policy Statement:
MHL’s main business is to provide medical laboratory examination services that are of high
international standards in line with principles of good professional laboratory practice. Laboratory
Management strives to produce accurate, reliable and timely results that are always generated in
accordance with stated procedures and customer requirements while complying with ISO
15189:2012 requirements. The Hospital Senior Management and Governing Board is committed
to the provision of adequate resources and monitoring the effectiveness of the QMS and ensures
all laboratory personnel are aware and dedicated to the provision of a quality service to all
customers.
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In order to continue providing good leadership and full commitment to the improvement of the
LQMS, Laboratory Management is responsible for establishing & reviewing the quality policy
and objectives and conducting management reviews on annual basis as a minimum.
4.1.2.4. Quality objectives and planning
MHL Management has developed measurable quality objectives that are reviewed against
performance goals during the scheduled management review meetings (Management Review
Procedure,) and are communicated to all personnel.
The management has established the quality objectives to assure the customers of their
commitment to maintaining their QMS and its continual improvement. The objectives and
planning to achieve them are detailed on objectives and planning form Meki Hospital
MHL Management is committed to ensure that the QMS quality plans for the achievement of
these objectives meet the customer requirements and ISO 15189:2012 guidelines. The change
processes are implemented in a manner that will not compromise these requirements and
guidelines.
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All other job descriptions are filed in the personnel folders and maintained by MHL
Management.
4.1.2.6. Communication
MHL Management has established procedures for internal and external communication
procedures between laboratory personnel and their customers and other stakeholders
concerning quality issues such as customer complaints and feedback, staff concerns and
feedback and QMS improvement issues. The communication procedures include but it is not
limited to: verbal, electronic, memoranda, log books, meetings, training sessions, letters, and e-
mails and outlined in the Communication Procedure.
Management has established the continuous reviews of the effectiveness of the communication
channels within the laboratory. To ensure that the laboratory personnel implement and
maintain an effective management system that exhibits staff ownership and the management is
committed to involving the staff as widely as possible in all development and maintenance
phases of the QMS.
4.1.2.7. Quality Officer
The Quality Officer is appointed by the Medical Director and has access to the highest executive
level, heads the QMS activity, and has the following responsibilities:
a) Ensuring that processes and procedures needed for the QMS are established
according ISO 15189:2012 and are effectively implemented and maintained.
b) Reporting to the laboratory Head on the performance of the laboratory
quality management system and any need for improvement.
c) Maintenance of all QMS documentation.
d) Training of personnel on QMS including awareness training of non-
laboratory personnel.
Supporting Documents:
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Document No: MHL/QPM
Title: Quality Policy Manual Version No: 01
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e. Internal and external audit schedules, plans and implementation to monitor and evaluate the
QMS process
f. Identification of non-conformities from audits and stakeholder feedback, troubleshooting and
corrective actions and implementation of continual improvement projects.
The management processes constitute some of the monitoring and evaluation processes needed to ensure
continual improvement of the quality management system while the support processes indicate the
resources needed to support the quality management system.
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MHL Management developed and maintained a Laboratory Quality Policy Manual (QPM) that
outlines the following:
a) The laboratory’s Quality Policy Statements (section 4.1.2.3).
b) The MHL scope for the QMS.
c) The MHL organizational chart and management structure including the relationship between
the Hospital, which is the parent organization and the laboratory (Organizational Structure).
d) Job descriptions for key positions that ensure compliance to the QMS and ISO 15189:2012
Standard.
e) The structure and description of the documents that are used to fulfill the QMS, regulatory,
ISO 15189:2012 and other requirements. These documents are structured as shown in the
pyramid Figure 1below:
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MHL has developed and implements a procedure for the Establishment and Review of Service
Agreements which outlines how the laboratory handles service agreements with their customers
which in this context is the laboratory request and service agreement form.
MHL considers individual request as agreements, in this context the laboratory request form is
used to review the agreement.
MHL also considers group requests e.g. from insurance companies, food handlers etc. as
agreements. In this context memorandum of understanding is entered into with the
representative of group clients.
In order to meet the customer needs, the laboratory meets the following terms and conditions
when entering into a service agreement:
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a) The customers are provided with a Laboratory Handbook which defines all the examinations
and services provided by MHL to ensure that they meet the customer needs.
b) MHL Management ensures that they have the necessary resources to meet the customer’s
requirements and they have documented the management of resources in the Inventory
Management Procedure.
c) MHL employs qualified and competent personnel with relevant skills and expertise required
for requested examinations. Personnel are trained and assessed for competence as per
documented procedures (Competence Assessment Procedure).
d) The menu of examinations provided by MHL was selected and is reviewed to ensure that it
meets the need of the customers and guidelines are provided to the customers on the
biological references to ensure the correct intervention is made to the patient.
e) MHL Management informs their customers and staff in writing through memoranda when
deviations from the SOP occur that may impact the clinical diagnosis of the patient.
f) If MHL cannot perform a requested test, customer will be informed before the sample is sent
to a referral laboratory.
g) For program based laboratory services included in the national referral network, the national
referral linkage document can be considered as a service agreement.
4.4.2 Review of Service Agreements
MHL Management reviews the service agreements to ensure they remain relevant to the
customer’s needs as per the Establishment and Review of Service Agreements.
All changes to the agreement are communicated to the customer in writing including changes
made after the examinations have begun as per Communication Procedure.
Supporting Documents:
S.No Document Title Document No.
.
1 SOP for Establishing and Reviewing of Service Agreement MHL/ SOP
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Supporting Documents:
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The list of approved vendors (suppliers) is maintained and it contains the name of the supplier,
their contact details as well as the type of services they offer for future reference.
A checklist to evaluate suppliers used to ensure compliance of the supplies received is in place.
Supporting Documents:
S.No. Document Title
1 SOP for Selection and Purchasing of External Services and Equipment’s
2 SOP for Selection and Purchasing of Reagents and Consumable Supplies
3 SOP for Selection, Evaluation and Monitoring Suppliers
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Technici
Technol
Cleaner
Lab aid
advice
clerk
ogist
MSc
Data
QM
LD
SO
SS
an
Choice of examination X X X X
Sample collection and X X X
handling
Interpretation of result X X X X
Use of laboratory X X X X
Advise on individual X X X X
clinical cases
Advise on use of LIS X X
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All complaints, their investigations and customer feedback are recorded and reviewed for
effectiveness during Management Review Meetings (Management Review Procedure).
Supporting Documents:
S.No. Document Title Document No.
1 SOP for Management of Complaints MHL/SOP
Supporting Documents:
S.No. Document Title Document No.
1 SOP for Management of Non-conformities MHL/SOP
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The management ensures that all records made available for discussion in Management review.
Supporting Documents:
S.No Document Title Document No.
.
1 SOP for Control of Records MHL/OP
4.14 Evaluation and Audits
4.14.1 General
At least annually, MHL conducts internal audits and evaluate all activities to verify that:
a) The pre-examination, examination and post-examination and supporting processes
continue to comply with the requirements of this QMS, ISO 15189:2012 and users.
b) There is conformity to the QMS
c) There is continual improvement to the effectiveness of the QMS.
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4.14.2 Periodic Review of Requests, and Suitability of Procedures and Sample Requirements
The Laboratory Handbook and all sample examination procedures are reviewed by MHL
Management at least every year or as needed to verify that the examinations being offered are
still appropriate for clinical needs.
Quality Officer is required to compile statistics of request received during the year to identify
the most requested test, test requested but not provided and test offered but not requested.
This information is used during management review discussions to shift resources where they
are needed most
Test statistics form used to capture statistics.
4.14.3 Assessment of user feedback
MHL Management requests feedback from all their stakeholders for use in evaluating MHL’s
performance in relation to customer needs. The feedback is collected through customer
survey (bi-annually), suggestion box/ book (every two week).
Customer feedback and the records of the communication are maintained as confidential and
customers have the option to give feedback anonymously.
QM compiles reports on feedback received. The reports are discussed on staff meeting and
action plan is developed.
4.14.4 Staff suggestions
MHL Management encourages staff to give feedback on any quality issues or operational
issues that may affect the patient results. Feedback is collected during regular scheduled staff
meetings, face to face discussion with management or through use of the suggestion box
(Customer satisfaction survey and management of complaints Procedure).
Suggestions are implemented as continual improvement projects and all actions and results are
recorded and feedback provided to staff (Management of nonconformities, preventive action
and continual improvement procedures).
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Planning of QIs includes defining objectives, methodology, duration, action threshold, and
The laboratory management, in consultation with the users, establishes and evaluates turnaround
times for each of its examinations that reflect clinical needs.
4.14.8 Reviews by external organizations
MHL is evaluated by various external organizations such as external auditors, donor agencies
EFDA, EPHI, FMOH and other stakeholders.
When these evaluators identify nonconformities or potential non-conformities that may
indicate non-compliance to the ISO 15189:2012 and other standards, the laboratory analyses
them, determine appropriate corrective and preventive actions, assign responsibilities for the
actions and evaluate effectiveness.
All corrective actions are handled as per Management of Non-conformities, preventive action
and continual improvement and reviewed at the Management Review meetings (Management
Review Procedure).
Supporting Documents:
S.No. Document Title Document No.
1 SOP for Customer Satisfaction Survey MHL/SOP-01
2 SOP for Internal Audit MHL/SOP-02
3 SOP for Establishment and Monitoring of Quality MHL/SOP-01
Indicators
4 SOP for Risk Management MHL/SOP-01
5 Periodic Review of request, suitability of procedures MHL /CL-01
and sample requirements monitoring checklist
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5. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Personnel
5.1.1 General
MHL Management has defined an orientation, and training plan for personnel management to
ensure that performance and competence are compliant with the ISO 15189:2012 and regulatory
requirements as defined in the Personnel Management, Personnel Training, and Competency
Assessment Procedure.
5.1.2 Personnel qualifications
MHL employs only qualified staffs who are registered with EFDA to perform tests, evaluate
results and sign test reports. MHL Management maintains records of all qualifications,
orientations, trainings, assessments, work experience and skills in personnel folders as described
in the Personnel Management Procedure.
5.1.3 Job descriptions
MHL Management maintains job descriptions that describe responsibilities, authorities and
tasks for all personnel in the personnel folders. All personnel attest to understanding their roles
by signing on the job description as per Personnel Management Procedure.
5.1.4 Personnel introduction to the organizational environment
All personnel new to MHL undergo an introduction and orientation process before commencing
their employment tenure at MHL and before training in respective departments described in the
Personnel Training Procedure. The orientation includes an awareness of the terms and
conditions of employment, employee facilities, occupational health services and health and
safety requirements, e.g. vaccinations, fire and emergency preparedness.
5.1.5. Training
MHL has a training program for all personnel as outlined in the Personnel Training and Competence
Assessment Procedures. The training includes:
a) QMS awareness
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MHL Management maintains records of all personnel in personnel folders and the contents
include relevant educational and professional qualifications, experience, competence assessments
and health and safety records as specified in the Personnel Management Procedure.
Supporting Documents:
S.No Document Title Document No.
.
1 SOP for Personnel Management MHL/SOP
2 SOP for Training MHL /SOP
3 SOP for Competency Assessment MHL /SOP
5.2. Accommodation and environmental conditions
5.2.1 General
MHL Management evaluates the laboratory space and developed a layout that provides adequate
space for performance of their duties in a safe environment which does not present a hazard to
staff, visitors and the environment.
The layout is reviewed when new methods or equipment are introduced to ensure maintenance of
the safe environment.
5.2.2. Laboratory and office facilities
MHL has adequate laboratory and office space that meet the requirements of ISO 15189:2012 and
ensure the following:
a. Access to the examination areas is controlled. This ensures patient samples, laboratory resources
and medical information is safeguarded from unauthorized access.
b. Safety and warning signage is appropriately placed.
c. Examination department allow for correct performance of examinations with adequate
environmental conditions such as ventilation, lighting, power and low noise.
d. Staff communicates effectively with each other through telephone, email and notice board
memos.
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e. Waste disposal bins and sharp containers are also available for safe disposable of solid waste
while designated drainage system is used for disposing liquid waste.
f. Fire extinguishers, fire alarm, eye wash, emergency shower, first aid kits and spill kits are
provided.
g. The above Safety equipment are verified for functioning as per checklist attached to them
Backup generator and water reservoir are available in case of any interruptions.
5.2.3. Storage facilities
MHL has adequate storage facilities that allow the maintenance of the integrity of sample s,
documents, records, reagents, equipment, patient results and other items that may affect the
quality of results as described in the Monitoring Environmental Conditions Procedure.
Samples are stored separately from each other and from reagents and other products to prevent
cross contamination.
Infectious and no-infectious waste is isolated and disposed of as specified in the Waste
Management Procedure.
5.2.4 Staff facilities
MHL has separate rooms for staff conferences outside examination areas. Personal lockers,
washroom, adequate water supply are also available. All personnel are provided with personal
protective equipment (PPE).
5.2.5 Patient sample collection facilities
MHL have separate reception and collection areas from other testing area and collects patient
samples and receive samples in already in designated containers from the various sending
sites. MHL provides guidelines for sample collection in the form of the Laboratory Hand book
and also carry out regular training of staff at the sites to ensure the correct samples received at
the laboratory.
Enough privacy in sample collection room and also there is waiting area for people
accompanying the patients.
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FMOH policy. All equipment that is loaned out is verified on return before being put back into
use.
5.3.1.6 Equipment adverse incident reporting
In the event of an adverse incident occurring, MHL Management investigates the cause of the
occurrence and notifies the manufacturer or local supplier/agent. All incidents are recorded.
5.3.1.7 Equipment records
MHL maintains records for each specific equipment for the full life span of the equipment as
specified. The records include the details such as:
a) Equipment make, model and unique identification.
b) Contact details of supplier and service engineer
c) Status of equipment on receipt, verification results and analysis
d) All service and repair reports for work done during its lifetime including calibration
certificates.
e) All equipment records are stored and maintained as described in the Control of Records
Procedure.
5.3.2 Reagents and Consumables
5.3.2.1 General
MHL receives reagents and consumables from the EPSA warehouse and the laboratory has
described the reception, storage, acceptance testing, and inventory management in the
procedures for Reagent and consumable supplies Management.
5.2.3.2 Reception and storage
MHL stores received reagents and consumables according to manufacturer’s specifications as
stated in the Reagent and consumable supplies Management Procedure. The items are stored in
temperature monitored store rooms, refrigerators and cold rooms to prevent damage and
deterioration.
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Supporting Documents:
S.No Document Title Document ID
.
1 SOP for Equipment Management AUARTHL/ALS/SOP
2 SOP for Equipment Calibration AUARTHL/ALS/SOP
3 SOP for Reagent and consumable supplies AUARTHL/ALS/SOP
Management
5.4 Pre-examination processes
5.4.1 General
MHL has documented all pre-examination activities in Laboratory Handbook, Specimen
Management Manual and Specimen management procedure.
5.4.2 Information for patients and users
MHL Laboratory Handbook and the Specimen Management Manual provide customers and
other stakeholders with all the details of the operations and services provided by the
laboratory.
MHL Management also authorizes technical staff to provide information and advice to
customers on request and all communication is documented as described the laboratory’s
Communication and Advisory Service Procedure.
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b) Within a temperature interval specified for sample collection and handling and with
the designated preservatives to ensure the integrity of samples.
c) In a manner that ensures the integrity of the sample and the safety for the carrier, the
general public and the receiving laboratory in compliance with established
requirements.
In the event that the sample arrives at the MHL sample reception in a compromised state, the
laboratory personnel will immediately notify the sender and reject the sample giving reasons
for the rejection. A fresh sample may be requested if applicable as per Sample Management
Manual.
5.4.6 Sample Reception
Patient samples are traceable, by use of the laboratory number which is assigned at the reception.
Patient samples without identification are not accepted or processed by the laboratory, in
compliance with the criteria for sample acceptance and rejection.
All patient samples are registered at the reception in specimen log book, worksheet, and
computer/LIS, capturing the date and time of receipt of samples, and the identity of the person
receiving the samples.
MHL has put in place a criterion for sample acceptance and rejection. The rejection criteria take
into account irreplaceable samples like cerebrospinal fluid or samples from neonates.(refer to
laboratory handbook)
It is a policy of MHL to prioritize urgent samples. Once processed, results of urgent samples are
immediately communicated to the requesting clinician/facility.(refer to laboratory handbook)
Whenever a sample has to be split for different tests, sample portions/aliquots are labeled with
the original sample identification number for easy traceability.
AUARTHL accepts verbal requests for additional test/s on already submitted samples. This is
done according to procedure for sample management..(refer to laboratory handbook)
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All examination procedures are written in standard format as defined in document control
procedure. If MHL intends to change any examination procedures such that results or their
interpretations could be significantly different, the implications are explained to clinicians and
health facilities before putting new procedure in service.
Supporting Documents:
S.No. Document Title Document No.
1 SOP for Clinical Chemistry MHL/CHES/SOP
2 SOP for Hematology MHL/HEMS/SOP
3 SOP for Serology MHL/SERS/SOP
4 SOP for Urinalysis MHL/URIS/SOP
5 SOP for Microbiology MHL/MICS/SOP
6 SOP for Immunohematology MHL/IMHS/SOP
7 SOP for Parasitology MHL/PARS/SOP
8 SOP for Molecular MHL/MOL/SOP
9 SOP for Quantitative Method/Equipment MHL/ALS/SOP
Verification
10 SOP for Qualitative Method/Equipment HL/ALS/SOP
Verification
11 SOP for Measurement Uncertainty MHL/ALS/SOP
5.6 Ensuring quality of examination results
5.6.1 General
MHL Management has defined the conditions in which examinations are performed from sample
reception to the release of quality results. Appropriate pre- and post-examination processes are
implemented as defined in sections 4.14.7, 5.4, 5.7 and 5.8 of this manual. MHL does not
fabricate any results.
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Procedure for participation in EQA has been developed which defines instructions for
participation and review of the performance. The EQA programs are adequate to check the
entire examination process including pre-examination, examination and post-examination
process in a manner that resembles as close as possible to patient samples.
5.6.3.2 Alternative approaches
For the examination procedures that have no EQA program, MHL shares samples with other
FMOH facilities in the region and compare the results. Acceptable limits are sourced from
agreed sources such as CLIA.
5.6.3.3 Analysis of Interlaboratory comparison samples
MHL analyses Interlaboratory comparison examinations as closely as possible to the routine
patient samples and the examinations are performed by the same technical personnel who
examine the routine patient samples. MHL does not discuss, compare their results with or send
for confirmation to other participating laboratories before submission of results.
5.6.3.4 Evaluation of laboratory performance
The Quality Officer and technical staff who run the EQA samples are responsible for
reviewing feedback and implement corrective actions when results are unacceptable.
Quality Officer monitors the effectiveness of corrective action taken by ensuring that
subsequent internal quality control and EQA are within acceptable limits.
The quality officer compiles annual report on performance in EQA which is used as
preventive actions to detect trends. The reports are presented and discussed in management
reviews.
5.6.4 Comparability of examination results
MHL performs a comparison of procedures, equipment and methods used for patient sample
examinations and establish the comparability of results for patient samples throughout the
clinically appropriate intervals according to the Equipment/Method and Verification Procedure.
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If there are any differences in comparability of results MHL Management notifies the users and
discusses any implications for clinical practice when measuring systems provide different
measurement intervals for the same measured and when examination methods change.
Appropriate corrective action is implemented for identified problems and all actions are
recorded.
Supporting Documents:
S.No. Document Title Document No.
1 SOP for Internal Quality Control Testing MHL/ALS/SOP-01
2 SOP for Inter Laboratory Comparison MHL/ALS/SOP
3 SOP for Comparability of Examination of Results MHL/ALS/SOP
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Annexes
Annex-I: Organogram of MHL Laboratory
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Document/Record Name Retention/Storage Time Remark
Internal QC records
Instrument printouts/ IQC logs 2 years
(manually entered)
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REFERENCE
Declaration
I, the undersigned laboratory personnel, certify that I am conducting every steps of the policy
incorporated in this Quality Policy Manual after a prior reading.
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