“Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.” The words of Mark Twain seemed to have continuously resonated in the lecture rooms of AIIMS, Jammu where a 03-day training was conducted on Medical Laboratory system & Internal audit program as per ISO 15189:2022 from 06th to 08th October 2023. Experts from Training and Capacity building division of Quality Council of India shared their knowledge and expertise and gave insights on the best practices that are adopted globally. With a view to promote Patient safety and improve patient outcomes, laboratories of today play a major role and every step taken in the direction to create a robust and reliable healthcare ecosystem is a step in the right direction.
The program was attended by 30 Faculty members of AIIMS, Jammu representing different specialities who will be the face of promoting quality in healthcare and laboratory testing in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir. The Executive Director & CEO Prof Shakti Kumar Gupta emphasized about his vision to steer AIIMS, Jammu as a champion to the cause of providing quality healthcare. He talked about Quality being a continuous process and something that does not come by chance, instead it is the result of serious intentions, sincere efforts, right direction coupled with meticulous execution. The focus of the training was the promotion of patient welfare and satisfaction of laboratory users through confidence in the minds of its clientele with respect to quality and competence of the medical laboratory. The training is designed in alignment with the Internationally accepted International Organization for Standardization (ISO) which upon implementation equips a laboratory to better plan and address risks and opportunities for improvement by increasing effectiveness of the management system, decreasing probability of invalid results and reducing potential harm to patients, public and the environment. This also prepares the laboratory to undergo Accreditation which in itself is a benchmark for quality. Equity in healthcare provisioning is not only limited as a Patient right but also entails it as a Responsibility of the healthcare service provider and the masses must be sensitized about their rights to quality yet affordable healthcare. Some key benefits of having an accreditation are
Quality Assurance: Accreditation programs in medical laboratories ensure strict adherence to quality standards and best practices, leading to more accurate and reliable test results reducing the chances of misdiagnosis or errors in patient care.
Enhanced Patient Safety: Proper training and accreditation help identify and mitigate potential risks within laboratory processes. This minimizes the likelihood of errors that could harm patients, such as contamination or mix-ups in sample handling.
Consistency in Testing: Accredited laboratories follow standardized procedures, leading to consistent and reproducible test results. This consistency is crucial for healthcare providers to make accurate diagnoses and treatment decisions.
Improved Efficiency: Efficient laboratory systems, as a result of proper training and auditing, reduce turnaround times for test results. Patients receive quicker diagnoses and treatment, leading to better outcomes and satisfaction.
Compliance with Regulations: Accreditation programs often require adherence to legal and regulatory requirements. This ensures that patient data is handled securely, and privacy is maintained, enhancing patient trust and satisfaction.
Continuous Improvement: Internal audit programs encourage ongoing evaluation and improvement of laboratory processes. This commitment to excellence translates into better patient care and outcomes over time.
Reduced Healthcare Costs: By minimizing errors and ensuring efficient processes, accredited laboratories can help reduce the overall cost of healthcare. Patients benefit from more cost-effective and accurate diagnostic services.
Enhanced Reputation: Accreditation is a mark of quality and reliability. Healthcare organizations and laboratories with accreditation tend to have a better reputation, attracting more patients and healthcare providers.
Patient Engagement: Accredited laboratories often communicate better with patients, explaining test results and providing educational materials. This engagement can lead to increased patient understanding and satisfaction.
In summary, training in medical laboratory systems and internal audit programs, leading to accreditation, plays a crucial role in improving the quality and safety of healthcare services. This, in turn, enhances patient outcomes and experiences by providing accurate, efficient, and reliable diagnostic services. Accredited laboratories follow standardized procedures, leading to consistent and reproducible test results. This consistency is crucial for healthcare providers to make accurate diagnoses and treatment decisions. (knb)