International mentors from the Better Labs for Better Health initiative met in Istanbul on 16–17 December 2021. Representatives of the national mentors’ teams from the 4 countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were in attendance to present the significant progress made to date and give individual team perspectives on a wide range of topics including External Quality Assessment (EQA), Laboratory Quality Management Systems (LQMS), accreditation, mentoring and response to COVID-19.
A key purpose of the meeting was to improve the effective application of the latter stages of the Laboratory Quality Stepwise Implementation (LQSI) tool and strengthen the implementation of phases 3 and 4 of a Quality Management System (QMS). It was the first time in 2 years that mentors were able to meet face-to-face to exchange knowledge gained from the extensive work carried out in their respective countries.
Continuous improvement
A comprehensive checklist of items is used to monitor QMS implementation. This checklist must be followed chronologically to move through each stage of the process. The phases are relatively complex and involve laboratories fundamentally adopting a philosophy of good management, leadership, continuous improvement, and preparation for accreditation. Progress is monitored throughout by mentors during each visit and activity.
During the meeting, mentors worked in teams to identify additional checklist elements required to further refine each phase of QMS implementation and to help ensure that laboratories commit to and follow a process of continuous improvement. This in-depth exchange of ideas culminated in a significant revision of the QMS procedures to improve and streamline the process moving forwards.