TRAINING COURSE ON ISO 15189:2012 FOR PATHOLOGISTS

INTRODUCTION

NiNAS evaluates the competence of medical laboratories for accreditation using the standard ISO 15189 Medical Laboratories – requirements for quality and competence. Considering the important role medical laboratories play in the healthcare system of the country, NiNAS has taken measures to raise the awareness on the accreditation of medical laboratories. One of the measures is to organize a 3-day training course for prospective assessors and laboratory medicine practitioners.

In organizing and administering this training course, NiNAS will take into consideration the requirements of ISO/IEC 17011:2017 standard with respect to the organization of training courses. One of such requirements expects NiNAS as an accreditation body, to ensure that no one party predominates.


ISO 15189 Training Course

The ISO 15189 training course aims to provide an understanding of ISO 15189:2012 and training in the assessment of its application for the accreditation of medical laboratories. A copy of ISO 15189 can be purchased from Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON.


Benefits

The course will enable the participants to gain knowledge of the particular requirements for competence in medical laboratories services, as defined in the ISO 15189:2012 standard, and used as the criteria for accreditation. Participants will also gain a practical understanding of the assessment methodology used by the Nigeria National Accreditation Service, NiNAS in line with the requirements of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation, ILAC and African Accreditation Cooperation, AFRAC. The course will be delivered through a combination of lectures, exercises and role plays.

Specifically,

Participants will Learn Key Applications in the Standard:

  • Internal Audits and Management Review
  • Clinical Testing Criteria
  • Complaint Handling Processes
  • Corrective Actions and Preventive Actions
  • Confidence Region for clinical Results
  • Traceability of Measurement

This training will help participants understand the key concepts in ISO 15189 for implementing a quality management system, a prerequisite for clinical laboratory accreditation.

It is worthy to note that this training course is the first in the series of a 4-stage training programme of assessors used by NiNAS in its accreditation activities.


Participants

The training course is open to those who are currently active practitioners in medical laboratories and those with previous laboratory assessment experience provided that they are active on the bench, who wish to become involved in the assessment of medical laboratories using ISO 15189:2012 as a basis for accreditation. Technical assessors will be selected from the participants that have technical and clinical expertise, and are currently practicing in the medical laboratory sector.

Attendance are expected from the following persons

  • Pathologists from various sub-specialisations:
  • Clinical Microbiologists,
  • Chemical Pathologists
  • Haematologists.
  • Anatomic pathologists

Technical Assessor Base

NiNAS in collaboration with key stakeholders in public and private sectors, intends to build its assessor base in ISO 15189 accreditation from this training course. Once trained in assessing against ISO 15189:2012 and NiNAS requirements, an assessor is expected to deliver at least 3 assessment visits in a year, and commit to attending the assessment visits once the dates have been agreed by the parties. A minimum number of 3 assessments per year are required to maintain Technical Assessor status.


Cost of Training

It is the policy of NiNAS to provide quality training on accreditation standards and processes at a minimal cost to the participants. NINAS charges fees just to cover the cost of providing the required service. In this regard, each participant is expected to pay the sum of N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) only for the 3-day training course. Participants are however, expected to take care of their transport and accommodation.


Training Date and Venue

Date:             11thto 13th March, 2020.

Venue:          NiNAS HQ -15B Kwame Nkrumah Crescent, Asokoro, Abuja, FCT. (Tavares board room)

Time:             9am daily.

To apply or enqueries, please contact k.esemonu@ninas.ng

NOTE: Participants are restricted to twenty persons.