SOP development intervention at the blood bank section at laboratory X

Abstract

Having pre-developed standard operating manuals, that unify tests and procedures performed at a laboratory is vital. International quality management standards oblige uniformity amongst all performed activities to ensure accuracy, precision, efficacy, and efficiency. Our study aims to accomplish our graduation project by performing an intervention at Lab X, which in turn will constitute an added value to this laboratory and fill an existing gap this laboratory has. After a three-month internship period at Lab X, we have realized that the laboratory is striving to reach that goal in proficiency and customer satisfaction; therefore, we aimed at helping it reach that goal. Upon trying to fill the gap during our internship period, monitoring results showed a set of missing Standard Operating Procedures, SOPs, at the laboratorys blood bank section. Lab Xs hospital is a part of Hospital X located at Koura, North Lebanon. Hospital X is seeking a Grade A accreditation from the Lebanese MOPH; which in turn, obliges a complete set of predeveloped SOPs for all tests performed at its laboratory. The methods we used to conduct this study and execute this project were based on qualitative assessment. We have relied on discussions with the laboratorys physician, blood bank supervisor, and staff to assess the status of SOPs. We also used checklists to assess the overall quality system of the laboratory and to see the degree of compliance with the required standards. With precise monitoring of the daily activities and tests performed at the blood bank, along with effective researching into the test kits used within this section and further literature review; we were able to develop eight missing SOPs that will contribute in ensuring optimal test results and staff comfort. We have skimmed through the ISO 9001 requirements for Quality Management Documentation along with the Lebanese MOPH Accreditation Standards for Hospitals for a basis on the documentation procedure. These standards were used as benchmarks; however, the laboratorys documentation method was followed for us to be of added value and convenience. Our project was well conducted and facilitated due to the cooperation of all staff and laboratory heads. The spirit of constantly striving for progress and upgrades at Lab X has provided a good matrix for our project.