The African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) in collaboration with the West Africa Health Organization (WAHO/PROALAB) has facilitated a training workshop on the updated ISO 15189:2022 standards for implementors in member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). A total of 49 laboratory professionals (23 anglophone and 26 francophone) from nine countries attended the training from 18-22 September 2023 in Accra, Ghana. Six experts (three anglophone and three francophone) were deployed to facilitate the training, during which participants were assisted to familiarize themselves with the differences between ISO 15189:2022 and ISO9001:2015, and ISO 15189:2022, in anticipation of transitioning to the updated standard and implementing it in their laboratories.
In addition to the ISO 15189:2022 standard, the following quality management system (QMS)-related topics were covered: Introduction to QMS, Risk Management, Method Verification and Validation, Nonconformities and Corrective Actions, Internal Auditing, Requirements for Point-of-care Testing, Guidance for Establishing National Laboratory Quality Frameworks, and Transitioning Plan and Process for ISO 15189:2022. Participants also learned to use a template grid as an ‘action tracker’ to facilitate the smooth transition to the new ISO 15189:2022 standard.
Mr Eke Ofuche, participant from Nigeria, highlighted the importance and timeliness of the training and on behalf of all participants attested that their expectations were very well met. He said, ‘This training has given all participants the required knowledge and understanding of the new clauses and changes made to the new ISO 15189:2022.’
Mrs Chinelo Ebruke, Project Manager at WAHO/PROALAB reiterated that this training has also meet her organization’s expectations. Further, she stated that it would help them to encourage and coordinate effective and efficient implementation of QMS in all regional reference laboratories in ECOWAS member states, which will enable more laboratories to achieve accreditation.
The transition period for the new standard is three years. This will allow most medical laboratories that are preparing for transition, or in the process of applying, until December 2025 to attain or maintain ISO 15189:2022 accreditation. As a result of the training, laboratories in ECOWAS member states should be well positioned to accelerate smooth transition and implementation of all ISO 15189:2022 requirements and thereby demonstrate confidence in meeting the needs of patients and laboratory users in the countries and region at large.
