1. WHO-AFRO Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA)
Dr. Fausta Mosha,
Director, National Health Laboratory,
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare,
Tanzania * 1

2. Introduction 1/3
Stepwise Laboratory Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA):
WHO-AFRO, CDC, ASLM, CHAI Initiative
Graduated recognition of quality improvement
Technical support and mentoring by ASLM and WHO-AFRO
Support and recognize implementation of QMS in medical labs to allow provision of safe, timely and accurate results
Cost: MOH mobilizes resources
MoH mobilizes resources as part of Country Strategic Implementation Plan
Stepwise process towards obtaining accreditation nationally, regionally or internationally recognized accreditation standards compliant with the ISO standard.
Intended to encourage, support and recognize implementation of QMS in medical laboratories so that African laboratories can provide safe, timely and accurate results for patient care and public health purposes. *

3. Introduction 2/3 Expected to have a catalytic effect:
SLIPTA Key Elements
Progressive Implementation of Quality Systems
National Strategic and Operational Plans
WHO QMS
and
SLMTA
Tools:
Quality Improvement of Laboratories : Graduated
Recognition
Serves as pathway that recognizes conformity over time marked by graduated recognition of quality improvement of laboratory performance.
Expected to have a catalytic effect:
quality improvement in individual laboratories
Incorporating goals into national strategic and operational plans,
sensitizing policy makers and laboratory staff on accreditation,
nurturing development of laboratories in the African region. *

4. Finalized SLIPTA Guidance Policy And Checklist
Introduction 3/3
Finalized SLIPTA Guidance Policy And Checklist
WHO
ASLM
CDC
MoH
AFENET
CLSI
AMREF
SADCAS
KENAS
KIT
ZINQAP
Clinton Foundation
Others *

5. ASLM SLIPTA Independent Advisory Group ASLM SLIPTA-Certified Auditors
SLIPTA Stakeholders
MoH SLIPTA Focal Point
WHO AFRO SLIPTA Focal
Point
MoH Laboratory
/Other
ASLM SLIPTA
Secretariat
ASLM SLIPTA Independent Advisory Group
ASLM SLIPTA-Certified Auditors

6. SLIPTA Process
1. Prioritized laboratory submits Initial Application to MoH Focal Point
Meet criteria in country strategic implementation plan-MoH & local implementing partners provide mentoring/TA to laboratory
Candidate laboratory conducts self-assessment using SLIPTA Checklist, must meet minimal score of (TBD) points
2. Submission of application for SLIPTA enrollment-criteria met
Laboratory submits final application to MOH SLIPTA Focal Point for consideration
MOH sends to ASLM SLIPTA Secretariat
If application meets SLIPTA criteria-considered Enrolled Laboratory

7. SLIPTA Process (2)
3. ASLM SLIPTA Secretariat contacts auditor team lead
4. Auditor Team (AT) selected, Secretariat coordinates audit visit
5. AT conducts audit utilizing SLIPTA Checklist
6. AT submits initial findings, including nonconformities and recommendations, to ASLM Secretariat and Laboratory *

8. SLIPTA Process (3) Major and minor nonconformities to be defined *
9. Secretariat submits findings to Independent Advisory Group (IAG)
7. Laboratory takes corrective actions within four weeks
Works with AT for TA/guidance
Encouraged to share audit report with MoH to rectify nonconformities
8. AT reviews corrective actions and sends final report to ASLM SLIPTA Secretariat
Major nonconformities: AT conducts follow up visit, submits final report
Minor nonconformities: Laboratory submits documentation of corrective actions to AT for review and AT submits final report to SLIPTA Secretariat
Major and minor nonconformities to be defined *

9. SLIPTA Process (4) Major and minor nonconformities to be defined *
10. IAG provides feedback to ASLM SLIPTA Secretariat
11. IAG makes final determination of star recognition, issues certificate
12. ASLM SLIPTA Secretariat sends certificate to MoH/ Laboratory
Valid: two years
Applications for renewal: six months before certificate expiry
Major and minor nonconformities to be defined *

10. Strengthening Laboratory Management Towards Accreditation - SLMTA What is SLMTA?
An innovative structured task-based training and mentoring program developed to effect immediate, measurable improvement in laboratories using their existing resources

11. Basic SLMTA Facts – Content
10 Modules
1 - Productivity Management
# Lab management tasks taught: 66
2 - Work Area Management
3 - Inventory Management
# training hours:
50+
# of tools and job aides: 100+
4 - Procurement Management
5 - Equipment Maintenance
6 - Quality Assurance
# of training activities: 45
7 - Specimen Management
8 - Laboratory Testing
9 - Test Result Reporting
10 - Documents & Records

12. Progression toward Accreditation Readiness
SLMTA Enables Countries to Implement SLIPTA with Subsequent Recognition
End Point
National, Regional, or International Accreditation Body
5 Star
4 Star
3 Star
SLMTA
SLMTA is a structured lab improvement tool that helps a lab climb the steps and get ready for accreditation
2 Star
> 95 %
1 Star
85-94 %
The WHO-AFRO accreditation process is unique in that, instead of using a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ system, the program is divided into tiers, allowing laboratories to move up the tiers incrementally as the percentage of benchmarks met increases.
The WHO AFRO accreditation does:
Uses internationally accepted standards adapted to the local environment
Scalable to meet lab complexity requirements
Uses an incremental, step-wise approach that is objectively measurable over time
Uses a positive, reinforcing approach to continuous quality improvement
75-84 %
0 Star
↑ Score on external evaluation using a checklist
65-74 %
55-64 %
Progression toward Accreditation Readiness

13. Spread of the SLMTA ownership “Movement”
Rollout
South East Asia
Africa
2010
2011
2012
Vietnam
Cambodia
Nigeria
Cote d’Ivoire
Ethiopia
Ghana
Cameroon
Uganda
Central America and Caribbean Region
Kenya
Rwanda
Burundi
Tanzania
Angola
Malawi
Bahamas
Zambia
Mozambique
Haiti
Zimbabwe
Dominican Republic
Botswana
Guatemala
Jamaica
Swaziland
Honduras
El Salvador
Nicaragua
Lesotho
Costa Rica
Barbados
Panama
Trinidad

14. Progress To-date
Secretariat established
12 Auditors trained in September, 2011
Guidance document and checklist finalized
Application forms on the ASLM website,
Advisory body formed and met in November, 2011

15. Thank you
Betam emeseghenalehu
Asante sana *