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.

We are pleased to announce that the medical laboratory of Union Hospital has achieved ISO 15189 Plus™  accreditation (selected disciplines). In choosing this option, the facility sends a clear signal of commitment to quality for staff, patients, and other healthcare providers.

By Lindsay Furlong, MLT, IQMH Assessor

William Osler Health System

“Slow down, calm down, don’t worry, don’t hurry, trust the process.”
- Alexandra Stoddard

This quote by Alexandra Stoddard was the living embodiment of the laboratory management and staff at the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Their process to accreditation was a few years in the making, and they showed great patience working through each step with guidance from the CDC team and IQMH. Their full dedication to “Trusting the process” got them to their endpoint – ISO 15189 Accreditation. Congratulations NIPH! Your hard work and dedication have paid off!

IQMH is pleased to share an article written by staff members of the Thunder Bay Public Health Laboratory regarding their facility’s team effort and experience leading up to their IQMH ISO 15189 Plus™ accreditation assessment. We encourage facilities to share their effective processes and experience with their laboratory peers.

IQMH, Centre for Accreditation is pleased to announce that National Institute of Public Health, located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, has achieved ISO 15189 Plus™ accreditation. In choosing this option, the facility sends a clear signal of commitment to quality for staff, patients and other healthcare providers.

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.

Your Feedback Matters!

The current version of the IQMH Medical Laboratory Accreditation Requirements (Version 7.1) is due for a complete review to ensure continued suitability in light of changes to the referenced documents and current methodologies.

All laboratories undergoing scheduled surveillance visits as part of the ISO 15189 Plus™ program are advised of the following change to the criteria for escalating minor non-conformance to major non-conformances between assessment events.

In April 2018 CSA group published a new National Standard of Canada developed by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Technical Committee, Medical Laboratory Quality Systems (Z252), which also serves as the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) Mirror Committee (SMC) for ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC212 Clinical Laboratory Testing and In Vitro Diagnostic Test Systems. IQMH expects to incorporate important details from the first edition of CSA Z316.8  Requirements for the design, development, and validation of laboratory-developed tests used for the screening, diagnosis, and management of clinical conditions. into the IQMH Accreditation Requirements, which is due for full review in 2019.

Make your professional development education plans for 2019 with the newly released Centre for Education Courses & Events Catalogue.