DTI pushes for accreditation of medical laboratories

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is pushing for the accreditation of medical laboratories in order to ensure the accuracy and reliability of medical test results.

The Philippine Accreditation Office (PAO) has launched its accreditation scheme for medical laboratories to improve the quality and credibility of local medical and health care services and to urge clinical laboratories to be recognized globally to further promote medical tourism in the country.

Trade Undersecretary for comsumer welfare Zenaida Maglaya said the accuracy of medical test results is crucial for it “is the basis of a medical practitioner’s diagnosis.”

A patient’s life is at risk if test results and interpretations are erroneous for it would lead to inappropriate treatment, prolonged illness and even death,” she noted.

As such, she stressed it is important to have an independent body such as PAO to assess the quality of services provided by medical laboratories.

“Medical laboratory accreditation would give patients the confidence in the medical institution administering laboratory tests as its technical competence complies with ISO 15189:2007, the international standard used for medical laboratory accreditation,” Maglaya said.

“The PAO accreditation seal guides patients in choosing competent and reliable medical laboratory that provides excellent services that is worth their time and money, and more importantly values life,” she added.

Maglaya said with the growing demand for reliable and cost-efficient medical and health care services particularly in the Asian region, laboratory accreditation would further enhance medical tourism in the country as it promotes quality and technical competence of local medical services that can compete with neighboring countries.

ISO 15189:2007 is the standard that PAO uses to accredit medical laboratories on its technical capacity. It specifies the particular requirements for quality and competence of medical laboratories, which relies on several factors which include: the qualifications, training and experience of personnel, calibrated and maintained equipment, adequate quality assurance procedures, proper sampling practices, appropriate testing procedures, traceability of measurements to national standards, accurate recording and reporting procedures and suitable testing facilities.

Accreditation of medical laboratories to ISO 15189:2007 assures clients of the capacity of the institution to provide accurate and accepted test results as these accredited laboratories have established quality management system, and qualified and competent medical practitioners that perform appropriate tests based on valid methods.