Evaluation of the Quality Management System due to the Implementation of the SLIPTA Program at the Bamenda Regional Hospital Laboratory, Cameroon

Abstract

Background and Aims: Improving the Quality Management System (QMS) of clinical laboratories and achieving accreditation are important in health care delivery. It can be achieved by implementing the World Health Organizaton Stepwise Laboratory Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA). The SLIPTA program was introduced to the Bamenda Regional Hospital (BRHL) in 2010. Our objectives were to identify improvements and evaluate the QMS at the BRHL. Training, mentorship, and improvement of laboratory infrastructure were considered for the program to succeed. Materials and Methods: Secondary data from the WHO SLIPTA assessment reports of the BRHL between November 2009 and March 2018 were extracted. The assessments were conducted by the WHO African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) SLIPTA certified and competent auditors, using the SLIPTA checklist. The final percentage score(s)/star(s) of the assessments was/were identified as improvements, and the evaluation was done by taking the difference between an absolute score of the Quality System Essentials (QSE) of the baseline recent follow-up assessment. Results: A total of nine SLIPTA assessments were carried out. The results indicated great improvements in the QMS from a baseline score of 18% (0-star) to 82% (3-stars) at the recent follow-up assessment. There were also significant changes in the QSE, with the final absolute scores ≥ 58% in all aspects and the greatest change registered in the management review (94%). Conclusions: We identified incredible improvements and magnificent changes in the QMS at the BRHL that were due to training, mentorship, and improvements in infrastructure resulting from the implementation of the SLIPTA program.