Story by Ms Theresa Palou (Manager, Pathology Services at Goroka General Hospital)

The quality laboratory training for laboratory managers was conducted in Goroka for a week on the 22nd – 26th of September2008. This training was not only for medical laboratories but also for industries such as mining, soil, food, and beer placing emphasis on quality and laboratory standards which is practiced in the world.

This training was facilitated by the National Industries Standard Technology (NISIT) and conducted by a representative of the National Accreditation Testing Authority (NATA) from Australia. Although the training was for a week, it was very intense. The first three days were spent looking at aspects for a quality laboratory management including familiarising with laboratory standards, the importance of having standards, what to do to get accredited and how to utilise managerial skills in the most effective way.

During the last two days we were taught on how to conduct audits and what to expect if our laboratory is to be audited.  Training such as these is important because then we are able to meet medical laboratory standards and this enables us to improve our turnaround time and have confidence in the results we sent to the clinicians.