1. Differences between ISO/IEC17025 ;1999 Head of Key Clients& GLP Div.
and – ISO 15189; 2003
Etty Feller
Head of Key Clients& GLP Div.
ISO Sept. 2005

2. Particular requirements for quality and competence
Medical laboratories
Particular requirements for quality and competence
ISO 15189; 2003
ISO Sept. 2005

3. 4. Management Requirements
4.1 Organization and management
The medical laboratory or the organization of which the laboratory is a part shall be legally identifiable
Services shall be designed to meet the needs of patients and all clinical personnel responsible for patient care.
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4. Laboratory management shall have responsibility for the design, implementation, maintenance and improvement of the quality management system.
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5. 4.2 Quality management system
Policies, processes, programs, procedures and instructions shall be documented and communicated to all relevant personnel.
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6. Staff education and training Quality assurance Document control
The table of contents of a quality manual for a medical laboratory might be as follows:
Introduction
Description of the medical laboratory, its legal identity, resources, and main duties.
Quality policy
Staff education and training
Quality assurance
Document control
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7. g) Records, maintenance and archiving h) Accommodation and environment
i) Instruments, reagents and/or relevant consumables management.
j) Validation of examination procedures
k) Safety
l) Environmental aspects. (For example, transportation, consumables, and waste disposal. In addition to, and different from, h) and I)].
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8. m) Research and development (if appropriate).
n|) List of examination procedures.
o) Request protocols, primary sample, collection and handling of laboratory samples.
p) Validation of results.
q) Quality control (including inter-laboratory comparisons).
r) Laboratory information system.
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9. s) Reporting of results.
t) Remedial actions and handling of complaints.
u) Communications and other interactions with patients, health professionals, referral laboratories and suppliers.
v) Internal audits.
w) Ethics.
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10. Documents are periodically reviewed.
4.3 Document control
All documents issued to laboratory personnel as part of the quality management.
Identifying the current valid revisions and their distribution is maintained.
Documents are periodically reviewed.
Retained or archived superseded documents are appropriately identified.
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11. Requirements: The methods to be used are adequately defined.
4.4 Review of contracts
Where a laboratory enters into a contract to provide medical laboratory services, it shall establish and maintain procedures for review of contracts.
Requirements: The methods to be used are adequately defined.
Records of reviews of the methods used.
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12. In hospitals of large organization all the information is part of the book of methods.
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13. 4.5 Examination by referral laboratories
Evaluating and selecting referral laboratories as well as consultants.
Arrangements with referral laboratories shall be reviewed periodically.
A register of all referral laboratories that it uses.
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15. The referring laboratory and not the referral laboratory shall be responsible for ensuring that referral laboratory examination results and findings are provided to the person making the request.
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17. 4.6 External services and supplies
Define and document the selection and use of purchased external services, equipment and consumable supplies that affect the quality of its service.
Purchased equipment shall not be used until they have been verified as complying with standard specifications.
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18. There shall be an inventory control system for supplies.
Appropriates quality records of external services.
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19. 4.7 Advisory services
Shall provide advice on choice of examinations and use of the services, including repeat frequency and required type of sample. Where appropriate, interpretation of the results of examinations shall be provided.
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20. ISO Sept. 2005

21. 4.8 Resolution of complaints
The laboratory shall have a policy and procedures for the resolution of complaints or other feedback received from clinicians, patients or other parties. Records of complaints and of investigations and corrective actions taken by the laboratory shall be maintained, as required.
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22. 4.9 Identification and control of nonconformities
Personnel responsible for problem resolution are designated
The actions to be taken are defined
The medical significance of the nonconforming examinations is considered and where appropriate the requesting clinician informed
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23. d) Examinations are halted and reports withheld as necessary
e) Corrective action is taken immediately
f) The results of nonconforming examinations already released are recalled or appropriately identified, if necessary.
g) Release of results in the case of nonconformities, including the review of such results.
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24. Monitor the results of any corrective action taken.
Laboratory management shall document and implement any changes required to its operational procedures resulting from corrective action investigations.
Monitor the results of any corrective action taken.
The results of corrective action shall be submitted for laboratory management review.
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25. 4.11 Preventive action
Needed improvements and potential sources of nonconformities, either technical or concerning the quality system, shall be identified.
Procedures for preventive action shall include the initiation of such actions and application of controls to ensure that they are effective.
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26. 4.12 Continual improvement
All operational procedures shall be systematically reviewed by laboratory management at regular intervals.
After action has been taken resulting from the review, laboratory management shall evaluate the effectiveness of the action.
The results of action following the review shall be submitted to laboratory management.
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27. Laboratory management shall implement quality indicators for systematically monitoring and evaluating the laboratory’s contribution to patient care.
Laboratory management shall provide access to suitable educational and training opportunities for all laboratory personnel and relevant users of laboratory services.
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28. 4.13 Quality and technical records
All records shall be legible and stored such that they are readily retrievable.
The laboratory shall have a policy that defines the length of time various records pertaining to the quality management.
Retention time shall be defined by the nature of the examination of specifically for each record.
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29. ISO Sept. 2005

30. 4.14 Internal audits
Internal audits of all elements of the system, both managerial and technical, shall be conducted at intervals defined by the system itself. The internal audit shall progressively address these elements and emphasize areas critically important to patient care.
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31. Audits shall be formally planned, organized and carried out by the quality manager or designated qualified personnel. Personnel shall not audit their own activities.
The results of internal audits shall be submitted to laboratory management for review.
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32. 4.15 Management review
Review the laboratory’s quality management system and all of its medical services, including examination and advisory activities, to ensure their continuing suitability and effectiveness in support of patient care.
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33. Follow-up of previous management reviews Status of corrective actions
Reports from managerial and supervisory personnel
Outcome of recent internal audits
Assessment by external bodies
Outcome of external quality assessment
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34. g) Changes in the volume and type of work h) Feedback
Quality indicators for monitoring the laboratory’s contribution to the patents care
j) Nonconformities
Monitoring of turnaround time
Results of continuous improvement
Evaluation of suppliers
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35. 5. Technical Requirements
5.1 Personnel
Organizational plan, personnel policies and job descriptions that define qualifications and duties for all personnel.
Maintain records:
Certification or license
References from previous employment
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36. d) Continuing education e) Competency evaluations
c) Job descriptions
d) Continuing education
e) Competency evaluations
The laboratory director or designees for each task should have the appropriate training and background to be able to discharge the responsibilities, such as:
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37. provide advice to those requesting
Serve as an active member(s) of the medical staff
Implement the quality management system
Ensure that there are sufficient qualified personnel
Provide educational programs for the medical and laboratory staff.
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38. Continuing education program
Personnel shall have training specific to quality assurance and quality management for services offered.
Continuing education program
The competency of each person shall be assessed following training and periodically thereafter.
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39. 5.2 Accommodation and environmental conditions
The laboratory shall have space allocated so that its workload can be performed without compromising the: quality of work - quality control procedures
- Safety of personnel
- Patient care services
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40. Patients, employees and visitors shall be protected from recognized hazards.
When primary sample collection facilities are provided, consideration shall be given to the accommodation of patient disabilities, comfort and privacy, in addition to the optimization of collection conditions.
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41. The laboratory shall monitor, control and record environmental conditions, as required by relevant specifications or where they may influence the quality of the results.
There shall be effective separation between adjacent laboratory sections in which there are incompatible activities.
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42. Access to the laboratory shall be controlled.
Relevant storage space and conditions shall be provided to ensure the continuing integrity of samples.
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43. ISO Sept. 2005

44. 5.3 Laboratory equipment
Instruments, reference materials, consumables, reagents and analytical systems are included as laboratory equipment, as applicable.
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45. ISO Sept. 2005

46. The laboratory shall be furnished with all items of equipment required for the provision of services
Equipment shall be shown to be capable of achieving the performance required and shall
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47. comply with specifications relevant to the examinations concerned.
For each item of equipment
Records shall include at least the following:
Identity of the equipment
Manufacturer’s name
Manufacturer’s contact person
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48. d) Date of receiving and date of putting into service
e) Current location
f) Condition when received
g) Manufacturer’s instructions
h) Equipment performance records
Maintenance
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49. k) Predicated replacement Equipment shall be:
j) Damage
k) Predicated replacement
Equipment shall be:
- operated by authorized personnel
- maintained in a safe working condition
- Whenever equipment is found to be defective, it shall be taken out of service, clearly labeled and appropriately stored.
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50. ISO Sept. 2005

51. - A list of the measures taken to reduce contamination shall be provided to the person working on the equipment.
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52. Computer software is documented and suitably validated.
Computers or automated examination equipment are used for the collection, processing, recording, reporting, storage or retrieval of examination data, the laboratory shall ensure that:
Computer software is documented and suitably validated.
Procedures are established and implemented for protecting the integrity of data at all times.
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53. 5.4 Pre-examination procedures
The request form shall contain information sufficient to identify the patient and the authorized requester:
Unique identification
Name or other unique identifier of physician or other person legally authorized to request examinations
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54. c) Type of primary sample d) Examinations requested
e) Clinical information
f) Date and time of primary sample collection
g) Date and time of receipt of samples by the laboratory.
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55. ISO Sept. 2005

56. Primary sample collection manual Copies of or references to:
1) Lists of available laboratory examinations
2) Consent forms when applicable
3) Information and instructions provided to patients
4) Information on medical indications
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57. 1) Preparation of the patient 2) Identification of primary sample, and
b) Procedures for:
1) Preparation of the patient
2) Identification of primary sample, and
3) Primary sample collection
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58. 1) Completion of request form or electronic request
c) Instructions for:
1) Completion of request form or electronic request
2) Type and amount of the primary sample
3) special timing of collection
4) Special handling needs
5) Labeling of primary samples
6) Clinical information
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59. 7) Positive identification 8) Recording the identity of the person
9) Safe disposal of materials used
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60. 1) Storage of examined samples
d. Instruction for:
1) Storage of examined samples
2) Time limits for requesting additional examinations
3) Additional examinations
4) Repeat examination due to analytical failure
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61. Where there is uncertainty in the identification of the primary sample or instability of the analytes in the primary sample, and the primary sample is irreplaceable or critical, the laboratory may choose initially to process the sample but not release the results until the requesting physician or person responsible for the primary sample collection takes responsibility for identifying.
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62. The laboratory shall monitor the transportation of samples
Within a time frame appropriate to the nature of the requested examinations
Within a temperature interval specified
In a manner that ensures safety for the carrier
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63. Authorized personnel shall systematically review requests.
All primary samples received shall be recorded in an accession book, worksheet.
Criteria shall be developed and documented for acceptance or rejection of primary samples.
The laboratory shall periodically review its sample volume requirements.
Authorized personnel shall systematically review requests.
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64. Sample portions shall also be traceable to the original primary sample.
The laboratory shall have a written policy concerning verbal requests for examinations.
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65. Samples shall be stored for a specified time, under conditions ensuring stability of sample properties, to enable repetition of the examination after recording of the results or for additional examinations.
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66. 5.5 Examination procedures
Examination procedures, including those for selecting/taking sample portions.
Use only validated procedures for confirming that the examination procedures are suitable for the intended use.
A review of procedures by the laboratory director or designated person shall be undertaken initially and at defined intervals.
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67. Purpose of the examination Principle of the procedure used
All procedures shall be documented and be available at the workstation for relevant staff.
In addition to document control identifiers, documentation should include the procedures:
Purpose of the examination
Principle of the procedure used
Performance specifications
Primary sample system
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68. e) Type of container and additives f) Required equipment and reagents
g) Calibration procedures
h) Procedural steps
i) Quality control procedures
j) Interferences and cross reactions
k) Principle of procedure for calculating results
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69. l) Reportable interval of examination results m) alert/critical values
n) Laboratory interpretation
o) Safety precautions
p) Potential sources of variability
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70. 5.6 Assuring quality of examination procedures
Internal quality control systems that verify the attainment of the intended quality of results.
Determine the uncertainty of results, where relevant and possible. Uncertainty components which are of importance shall be taken into account.
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71. Participation in a suitable programme of inter-laboratory comparisons.
Calibration of measuring systems and verification of trueness shall be designed and performed so as to ensure that results are traceable.
Participation in a suitable programme of inter-laboratory comparisons.
Use of suitable reference materials.
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72. c) Examination or calibration by another procedure.
d) Ratio or reciprocity-type measurements
e) Mutual consent standards or methods.
f) Documentation of statements regarding reagents.
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73. The laboratory shall participate in inter-laboratory comparisons such as those organized by external quality assessment schemes.
External quality assessment programmers should, as far as possible, provide clinically relevant challenges that mimic patient samples and have the effect of checking the entire examination process, including pre- and post-examination procedures.
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74. Whenever a formal inter-laboratory comparison programme is not available, the laboratory shall develop a mechanism for determining the acceptability of procedures not otherwise evaluated.
For those examinations performed using different procedures or equipment or at different sites, or all these, there shall be a defined mechanism for verifying the comparability of results throughout the clinically appropriate intervals.
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75. The Patient Test Selection Report Interpretation Sample Collection
Paper Challenges
Report Transportation
Report Creation Clinical Relevancy Reporting
Sample Transportation
Send-in Challenges
Reception and Accessioning
Paper Challenges
Laboratory Analysis
Traditional Challenges
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76. 5.7 Post-examination procedures
Authorized personnel shall systematically review the results of examinations.
Storage of the primary sample and other laboratory samples shall be in accordance with approved policy.
Safe disposal of samples no longer required for examination shall be carried out in accordance with local regulations or recommendations for waste management.
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77. ISO Sept. 2005

78. Laboratory management shall be responsible for formatting reports.
5.8 Reporting of results
Laboratory management shall be responsible for formatting reports.
Laboratory management shares responsibility with the requester for ensuring that reports are received by the appropriate individual within an agreed-upon time interval.
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79. Results shall be legible, without mistakes in transcription and reported to persons authorized to receive and use medical information.
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80. The report shall also include:
clear, unambiguous identification of the examination
The identification of the laboratory that issued the report.
Unique identification and location of the patient.
Name or other unique identifier of the requester
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81. e) Date and time of primary sample collection
f) Date and time of release of report
g) Source and system
h) Results of the examination reported in SI units or units traceable to SI units
i) Biological reference intervals, where applicable
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82. j) Interpretation of results, where appropriate.
Identification of the person authorizing the release of the report.
l) If relevant, original and corrected results.
m) Signature or authorization of the person checking or releasing the report, where possible.
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83. The report shall indicate if the quality of the primary sample received.
Copies or files of reported results shall be retained by the laboratory.
The laboratory shall have procedures for immediate notification of a physician.
The laboratory shall determine the critical properties and their “alert/critical” intervals, in agreement with the clinicians using the laboratory.
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84. The final report shall always be forwarded to the requester.
Records of actions taken in response to results in the critical intervals shall be maintained.
Laboratory management, in consultation with the requesters, shall establish turnaround times for each of its examinations. A turnaround time shall reflect clinical needs.
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85. When examination results from a referral laboratory need to be transcribed by the referring laboratory, procedures for verifying the correctness of all transcriptions shall be in place.
The laboratory shall have clearly documented procedures for the release of examination results, including details of who may release results and to whom.
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86. The laboratory shall establish policies and practices for ensuring that results distributed by telephone or other electronic means reach only authorized receivers.
The laboratory shall have written policies and procedures regarding the alteration of reports.
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87. Original entries shall remain legible when alterations are made.
When altered, the record must show the time, date and name of the person responsible for the change.
Original entries shall remain legible when alterations are made.
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88.
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