Introduction to TB Laboratory Quality Management

This course can be provided at request to groups of 12 to 20 participants and can be organized onsite anywhere in the world.


GLI training in Myanmar

Tuberculosis laboratories provide the crucial data for evidence based TB diagnosis and surveillance of multi-drug resistance. One of the best methods for effective and efficient strengthening of TB laboratories is the implementation of a quality management system based on the international quality standard ISO 15189. To facilitate this process the experts of DATOS developed the Global Laboratory Initiative Stepwise Process towards TB Laboratory Accreditation (shortly called GLI tool) in 2011. In 2020 the GLI tool was merged with the World Health Organization (WHO) Laboratory Quality Stepwise Implementation (LQSI) tool, also developed by the experts of DATOS. This web-based guidance tool is accessible free-of-charge at the website of WHO and guides TB laboratories on a day-to-day basis with implementation of a quality management system and become accredited to ISO 15189. Implementation of a quality management system according to international standards is deemed a big challenge by many laboratory professionals. Nevertheless, implementation of this system is the key intervention to improve laboratory performance and create quality assured laboratory services.


Programme

Training is the Achilles heel of the laboratory system: without properly trained and confident staff it is almost impossible to provide quality services. This course is designed to:

  • Create basic knowledge of TB laboratory quality management principles.
  • Create an understanding of how an ISO 15189 based quality management system is integrated in the routine TB laboratory processes and how the routine work is affected by implementation of the quality management system.
  • Gain detailed insight in selected ISO 15189 quality system elements and how to efficiently implement the quality management system in the TB laboratory.


LQSI tool

GLI tool

 

The WHO LQSI tool

Although training provides an understanding of the concepts of quality and quality management, implementation of a quality management system on a day-to-day basis is often still perceived as a challenging process. To ensure that participants are able to efficiently implement the quality management system, they will be provided with the practical expertise to use the WHO LQSI tool. This tool provides a stepwise plan for day-to-day implementation of a quality management system in the TB laboratory with background information, document templates and other tools are provided.


This training consists of three parts

  • Part 1 focuses on understanding the concept of quality and introducing the principles of quality management in the TB laboratory.
  • Part 2 focuses on understanding ISO 15189 quality management system elements and utilizing the LQSI tool for implementation of the system.
  • Part 3 focuses on establishing the capacity to adequately plan the process of implementation of the quality management system in line with the routine daily work in the TB laboratory.


The course ends with a final assignment in which you will develop a quality year plan and action plans to kick-start implementation of the quality management system in your own laboratory using the LQSI tool. In the meantime you will even already start with developing the necessary documents for implementing the quality management system in your own laboratory, such as a Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) and an organizational chart.


Learning objectives

This course will provide the necessary knowledge, attitude and skills needed to efficiently implement and maintain an ISO 15189 based quality management system and adequately function in a TB laboratory that has such a system in place.


After this course you will be able to:

  • Explain and apply the principles of quality management.
  • Explain the purpose and mechanisms of individual ISO 15189 quality system elements in assuring quality laboratory services.
  • Utilize the LQSI tool to guide implementation of the ISO 15189 quality management system.
  • Implement an ISO 15189 compliant quality management system in the TB laboratory.
  • Apply expert planning skills to coordinate the process of quality management system implementation.


At the end of the course participants will receive a certificate of attendance.


Who should participate?

Quality officers, laboratory managers and laboratory technologists who are eager to learn more about quality management and accreditation of TB laboratories are more than welcome to participate.


Prequalification

  • This is an introductory course in TB laboratory quality management: no knowledge of quality management is required before participating in this training.
  • This is a laboratory oriented training: a laboratory background/knowledge of TB laboratory practice is required.
  • The course language is English. English speaking and writing ability is required. The course can be provided with simultaneous or consecutive  interpretation.


Length of the course

The course has a duration of  5 days and a workload of 40 hours. This includes training hours and time spent on homework assignments.


Course fee

Request an offer.


The course will be facilitated by two laboratory strengthening experts with extensive experience in adult teaching.