ISO 15189 Certification in Nepal: A Passport to Excellence in Medical Laboratory Service
Introduction
Medical laboratories are the backbone of the healthcare industry that carry out the fundamental diagnosis processes that result in the provision of medical treatments and therapies. It is of utmost significance in Nepal that laboratory test results are accurate and reliable for patient safety. That is where ISO 15189 comes into play. In the article below, the significance of ISO 15189, advantages, and how to become certified in Nepal are discussed.
Description of ISO 15189 Certification
ISO 15189 is a worldwide standard, and it has been designed exactly for the unique medical laboratory requirements for which it was developed. ISO 15189 addresses technical competence and quality management and presents great levels of precision, dependability, and laboratory efficiency. ISO 15189 differs from ISO 9001, which can be used for general quality management, in the sense that ISO 15189 is specifically designed with the intention to consider unprecedented medical test laboratory requirements.
Why Nepalese Laboratories Need ISO 15189 Certification
1. For Increased Diagnostic Credibility
ISO 15189 certification forces the laboratories to maintain quality control at its best level, with minimal chance of making mistakes and obtaining accurate results achieved.
2. Heightened Confidence of Patient and Healthcare Professional
Explanatory in the sense that one can have confidence with a certified lab from the hospital's, doctor's, and patient's perspective as it will be under international norm standards.
3. National and International Standard Compliance Adoption
ISO 15189 gives Nepalese labs the chance to keep up with the health requirements in Nepal and also stay in adherence with international best practice simultaneously.
4. Most Convenient Best Possible Operational Efficiency
Operations in the laboratories will be effective, work systematic, and wastage and inefficiency will be minimized by adopting ISO 15189 standards.
5. International Acceptance and International Collaborations
International acceptance of ISO 15189-certified laboratories is attained, and the laboratories can form research collaborations and associations with international health organizations.
ISO 15189 Nepal Certification Process
Step 1: Gap Analysis
Systematic laboratory operations review will reveal gaps in order to meet the requirements of ISO 15189.
Step 2: Establishing Quality Management System
Effective QMS comprises:
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Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
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Staff competency testing and intervals training
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Maintenance and calibration of equipment
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Internal quality control procedures
Step 3: Personnel Training and Development of Competencies
Training laboratory personnel in compliance with ISO 15189 requirement is given a high priority.
Step 4: Internal Audits
Internal audits, performed periodically, detect and correct likely problems before the accreditation audit.
Step 5: Select an Accreditation Body
Nepalese laboratories can choose national accrediting bodies such as the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM) or international accrediting bodies that provide accreditation.
Step 6: External Assessment and Certification
The laboratory activities and operations are validated by an external agency to meet the standards of ISO 15189. They are certified if so.
Challenges to Implementation of ISO 15189 in Nepal
1. Insufficiency of Funds
It is expensive to redesign the laboratory layout, training, and certification, and then it is no longer a viable step.
2. Inadequate Training and Awareness
Nepalese lab competence certificates would be green and new to the ISO 15189 standard and thus more training and awareness courses need to be held.
3. Equipment and Infrastructure Constraints
A few labs, particularly rural area labs, may not have new equipment and more facilities, and it could be a limitation in adhering to the demands.
4. Lack of Trained Personnel
ISO 15189 requirements can be met by having trained personnel and keeping them, but recruitment and retention become challenging.
Conclusion
ISO 15189 accreditation is a great step towards Nepalese medical lab establishment of quality and reliability. It adds value to the credibility of the diagnosis, trust of patients and healthcare providers, and enhances the quality of services offered by laboratories in Nepal to international standards. It is painful but challenging in the long term because of its advantages of improved patient outcomes, enhanced efficiency, and global acceptability. As there is a growing Nepalese health care industry, ISO 15189 will become the catalyst in the creation of world-class lab services in Nepal.
Visit https://www.isocertificationinnepal.com/ to learn more about ISO.
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