AMLSN AWKA CPD WORKSHOP: A HUGE SUCCESS!

The 22^nd May CPD workshop organized by AMLSN, Awka Chapter in partnership with MLSCN was a huge success.

The workshop which had Dr. N.K. Nnamah as the keynote speaker was well attended by over 100 Biomedical Scientists from all over Nigeria.

The theme of the workshop was: THE NEW MLSCN CHECKLIST: A PANACEA FOR LAB. ACCREDITATION

Of the four lectures presented at the workshop, one of two of the lectures presented by Lady Christy N. Igwe who is Head of MLSCN South-East Zonal Office at Awka contains information that Biomedical Scientists all over Nigeria, especially those in private practice would be itching to know. We are going the extra mile of sharing the power point slides of that presentation here with you. Enjoy!

Slide 1: OVERVIEW OF THE NEW MLSCN CHECKLIST

Lady Christy N. Igwe Head, MLSCN Southeast Zonal Awka

Slide 2: Learning Objectives

·         At the end of this session, participants will understand:

·         The meaning of Checklist and the need for MLSCN checklist.

·         The basic components of the MLSCN Checklist.

·         The basic questions/items of the Checklist and the appropriate answers expected.

Slide 3: What is a Checklist?

—  A checklist is a type of informational job aid used to reduce failure by compensating for potential limits of human memory and attention.

—  It is commonly organized into sections but does not include every single step of a process being reviewed.

—  However, it highlights those steps that are super important and yet often so obvious or simple that they maybe missed.

—  Generally, it helps to ensure consistency and completeness in carrying out a task.

Slide 4: Any Need for the MLSCN Checklist?

—  Medical laboratories are fundamental and essential components of health systems, providing test results that are the basis of disease diagnosis and treatment.

—  For test results to remain of high quality, the entire laboratory facilities, personnel and environment must be assuredly of high quality.

—  To ensure that all laboratories maintain and sustain this standard, the basis for their inspection must be uniform and consistent.

—  This uniform basis of appraisal is the MLSCN checklist.

Slide 5: The MLSCN Checklist

• General Information                                      -              9 points
• Documents and Records                               -              29 points
• Organization                                                                      8 points
•  Personnel                                                                          -24 points
• Client Management/Customer Service                 - 6 points
• Equipment                                                                       -18 points
• Process Control, Internal or External  Quality Assessment -26 points
•  Information Management                          -              8 points
• Facilities and Safety                                       -              56 points

Slide 6: General Information

This section is principally concerned about the:

—  Laboratory details – name, address, type, etc

—  Laboratory Staffing – MLS, support staff, cleaners, etc

—  Days and Hours of service and on-call services

—  Referral Network – Referral labs and referred tests.

—  Type of tests run and turn-around time of tests

—  Specimen receiving schedule – Average number of specimens received each day per test for four weeks.

—  Organizational structure – organogram

—  Laboratory floor plan/layout

—  Previous inspection findings if any.

Slide 7: Documents and Records

—  Does the laboratory have quality manual?

—  Is there a Safety manual in the laboratory?

—  Are there Standard Operating Procedures?

—  Are there available laboratory request/Report forms?

—  Is there a Client’s information/Bio-data Register?

—  Is there a Referral Register?

—  Are there Bench books, Master Report/Results Register? Is there a Dispatch Register?

—  Are records properly archived?

—  Are records legible and retrievable?

—  Is record retention period clearly stated?

Slide 8: Organization

—  Is there an organogram?

—  Are resources readily available for staff to perform duties assigned to them?

—  Are there spelt out policies and procedures to ensure confidentiality of client’s result?

—  Are there documented regular meetings between Proprietor and staff to discuss work plan?

Slide 9: Personnel

—  Is the laboratory manned by a qualified Medical Laboratory Scientist(s)?

—  Do they have current practicing license?

—  Does the facility have support staff(s)?

—  Do the support staff have current work permit?

—  Is there a receptionist or cleaner?

—  Is competency testing for staff done and documented?

—  Does the staff participate in CPDs?

—  Are personnel files available and up-to-date?

Slide 10: Client Management/Customer Service

—  Do staff with appropriate professional qualification advice clients on required types of samples, choice of tests and interpretation of results?

—  Are clients informed when there is delay due to equipment failure or stock outs?

—  Are there ways clients’ satisfaction is evaluated and documented?

Slide 11: Equipment

—  Is there enough equipment to run at least 50% of tests listed?

—  Is the equipment functional?

—  Is service information readily available?

—  Are newly introduced equipment validated and records kept?

—  Is non-functional equipment removed from the laboratory storage area?

—  Is routine preventative maintenance performed on all equipment and recorded?

Slide 12: Process Control, Internal and External Quality Assessment

—  Are there regular environmental checks and temperature monitoring?

—  Are procedures for specimen collection in place?

—  Are specimen appropriately stored prior to and after testing?

—  Are referred specimens appropriately packaged, transported and tracked?

—  Is specimen receiving logbook available?

—  Is SOP for specific testing present and easily accessible at the workbench.

Slide 13: A Continuation of Slide 12

—    Is internal quality control performed and documented prior to release of results?

—     Are test results validated, interpreted and released by appropriately authorized and qualified personnel?

—     Does the laboratory participate in a proficiency testing or inter-laboratory comparison?

—      Does the laboratory participate in External Quality Assurance programme of the Council and reports documented?

Slide 14: Information Management

—     Are test results legible?

—      Are test results confirmed against patients identity?

—      Are tests recorded in a logbook (result notebook) or electronically?

—       Is there a system for retrieving and crosschecking results for clerical errors?

—        Are archived results or those awaiting dispatch properly kept in a place accessible only to authorized personnel?

Slide 15: Facilities and Safety     - 1

—     Is the size of the laboratory adequate?

—      Is the layout of the laboratory such that work plan are positioned for optimal work flow?

—       Is the reception area separated from the testing area?

—        Are testing areas clearly demarcated?

—       Is each workstation maintained free of congestion?

—       Are all supplies needed for work present and easily accessible?

—        Are all chairs/stools at the work stations appropriate for bench height and testing operations being performed?

Slide 16: Facilities and Safety     - 2

—      Are the needed reference materials (e.g. critical values and required action, population reference ranges, frequently called numbers, etc) posted for easy accessibility?

—        Is the physical work environment appropriate for testing (i.e. free of clutter, adequate ventilation and lighting, climate for adequate equipment function – air conditioner not fan, etc)?

—      Is the laboratory properly restricted from unauthorized access?

—      Is the lab fridge free from staff food items?

Slide 17: Facilities and Safety     - 3 

—      Are patient’s samples stored separately from reagents and blood products in the laboratory refrigerators?

—      Is the work area clean, free of leakages and spills?

—      Are disinfection procedures conducted and documented?

—       Is sufficient waste disposal available?

—       Is waste separated into infectious and non-infectious?

—      Are hazardous chemicals properly labelled, stored, utilized and disposed if need be?

—      Are sharps handled and properly disposed of in appropriately utilized sharp containers?

Slide 18: Facilities and Safety     - 4

—     Are all electrical cords, plugs and receptacles appropriately used and in good condition?

—      Are there appropriately sized fire extinguishers that are good working condition?

—      Is an operational fire alarm system in place in the laboratory with periodic fire drills?

—      Are standard safety equipment available – Biosafety cabinet, covers on centrifuges, hand-washing stations, spill kits, First Aid kits, etc?

—      Is PPE available and readily accessible at the workstation?

—       Are lab personnel appropriately vaccinated?

—      Are Occupational injuries/illnesses documented in safety/occurrence log?

—       Are cleaners, drivers/couriers working with the laboratory trained in Bio-safety practices relevant to their jobs?

Slide 19: THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

Acknowledgement: Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria