ArticleAfrican journal of laboratory medicine
Attaining ISO 15189 accreditation through SLMTA: A journey by Kenya's National HIV Reference Laboratory.
Article in African journal of laboratory medicine. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 19 papers.
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Who cites it
19 citing papers in PubMed, 19 citations in OpenAlex.
- The need to strengthen laboratory leadership, systems, and networks to enhance outbreak detection and resilience in Africa: proceedings of a regional workshop.BMC proceedings · 2026Article
- The road map for ISO 15189-laboratory accreditation: The Experience of Manhiça Health Research Centre (CISM) laboratory, in southern Mozambique.African journal of laboratory medicine · 2026Article
- Establishing a sustainable quality management system in a public clinical laboratory: The case of Mbagathi Hospital Laboratory in Kenya.African journal of laboratory medicine · 2026Article
- Translating laboratory quality management system into practice: strategic opportunities and challenges for ISO 15189:2022 implementation in Nigeria's healthcare system.Frontiers in health services · 2026Review
- HIV drug resistance, early treatment outcomes and impact of guidelines compliance after protease inhibitor-based second-line failure in a dedicated resistance clinic in western Kenya: a retrospective cohort study.Journal of the International AIDS Society · 2025Article
- Examining 7 years of implementing quality management systems in medical laboratories in sub-Saharan Africa.Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH · 2023Article
- Key success factors for the implementation of quality management systems in developing countries.African journal of laboratory medicine · 2023Review
- Accreditation of a molecular HIV diagnostic laboratory following the Strengthening Laboratory Management Towards Accreditation (SLMTA)-Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) approach in Kenya: an implementation science study.The Pan African medical journal · 2023Article
- Quality assurance practices in tuberculosis diagnostic health facilities in Ethiopia.PloS one · 2022Article
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- Remote Mentorship Using Video Conferencing as an Effective Tool to Strengthen Laboratory Quality Management in Clinical Laboratories: Lessons From Cambodia.Global health, science and practice · 2020Article
- Diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.Clinical microbiology reviews · 2019Review
- Article
- Rapid Ascent From Zero Quality to International Organization for Standardization Accreditation: A Case Study of Hai Duong Preventive Medicine Center in Vietnam, 2012-2013.American journal of clinical pathology · 2017Article
- Implementation research: a mentoring programme to improve laboratory quality in Cambodia.Bulletin of the World Health Organization · 2016Article
- Improving quality in national reference laboratories: The role of SLMTA and mentorship.African journal of laboratory medicine · 2014Article
- A comprehensive review of the SLMTA literature part 2: Measuring success.African journal of laboratory medicine · 2014Review
- A comprehensive review of the SLMTA literature part 1: Content analysis and future priorities.African journal of laboratory medicine · 2014Review
- Evidence from 617 laboratories in 47 countries for SLMTA-driven improvement in quality management systems.African journal of laboratory medicineArticle
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThe National HIV Reference Laboratory (NHRL) serves as Kenya's referral HIV laboratory, offering specialised testing and external quality assessment, as well as operating the national HIV serology proficiency scheme. In 2010, the Kenya Ministry of Health established a goal for NHRL to achieve international accreditation.
objectivesThis study chronicles the journey that NHRL took in pursuit of accreditation, along with the challenges and lessons learned.
methodsNHRL participated in the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programme from 2010-2011. Improvement projects were undertaken to address gaps in the 12 quality system essentials through development of work plans, team formation, training and mentorship of personnel. Audits were conducted and the scores used to track progress along a five-star grading scale. Standard quality indicators (turn-around time, specimen rejection rates and service interruptions) were measured. Costs of improvement projects and accreditation were estimated based on expenditures.
resultsNHRL scored 45% (zero stars) at baseline in March 2010 and 95% (five stars) after programme completion in October 2011; in 2013 it became the first public health laboratory in Kenya to attain ISO 15189 accreditation. From 2010-2013, turn-around times decreased by 50% - 95%, specimen rejections decreased by 93% and service interruptions dropped from 15 to zero days. Laboratory expenditures associated with achieving accreditation were approximately US $36 500.
conclusionInternational accreditation is achievable through SLMTA, even for a laboratory with limited initial quality management systems. Key success factors were dedication to a shared goal, leadership commitment, team formation and effective mentorship. Countries wishing to achieve accreditation must ensure adequate funding and support.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.