QCI - Medical laboratory program journey of quality in public medical laboratories": An experience though program evaluation

Abstract

Objective: Health being a subject of the state and Accreditation of Healthcare Organisations being a voluntary process, the Quality Council of India (QCI) through National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers is creating standards and promoting quality in healthcare. The Medical Laboratory Program, which is designed to improve the Quality of Medical Laboratories, is being implemented by both government and private Laboratories to ensure quality of test results. Materials and Methods: A small program Evaluation study was carried out over a period to understand the level of understanding, usefulness and feedback from the participating Laboratories regarding QCI - Essential Standards for Medical Laboratories1 Program. The data was collected and analysed from 55 participating laboratories. Results: The study findings indicated 100% strongly agree that, training programs conducted were really helpful, 98% stated that, this program was instrumental towards Patient Safety and improved the Quality Indicators of laboratory activities. Around 89% of the respondents strongly support the fact that Educational Materials & technical Supports provided by Med-Lab Team were very useful & helpful to implement the standards & this Program has helped to achieve Quality Output with minimal effort & investment. Most of the respondents (4/5 th ) i.e. 80% of the respondents found that implementation of Med-Lab Program was easy & flexible. More than 80% of the respondents have felt either good, very good or excellent on all the parameters that have been spelt out regarding Post-Implementation impact of Med-Lab Program on various quality Indicators. 53 labs (96%) are satisfied with results on post implementation of the Med-Lab Program and agreed to recommend this program to other labs as well. This is the first such study in India. The findings may be an eye opener for the labs and the state governments who haven't yet participated in the Med Lab Program.