The IQMH Centre for Accreditation is in the final stages of approval of Version 8 of the IQMH Accreditation Requirements for Medical Laboratories.  Version 7 was used for assessment of our medical laboratory participants starting in early 2017, with Version 7.1 coming into effect in mid 2017. This article is a review of the most frequently cited non-conformances to these requirements. It is based on data from 287 assessments and included laboratories in Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and some international clients.

Have you ever wondered when the Centre for Accreditation would be visiting you next? And how far in advance you could know this information? All this information is available to you in the Assessment Schedule.

Over the past 13 years, the processes for IQMH accreditation have undergone many modifications. We use feedback from our clients, assessors and staff to continuously improve and in so doing, strive to meet our own set of standards — ISO 17011, Conformity assessment – General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies.

Originally taken from an article published in July 2009 and updated by Carol Julian.
Laboratory preparedness can make or break an IQMH assessment visit. The assessment team members rate assessment visits as “good” or “bad,” not by the number of non-conformances observed, but by the degree to which laboratory personnel are prepared and engaged in the process. A well-prepared laboratory will be much more satisfied with the assessment results than an unprepared one.