RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Hybrid Mentorship of Medical Laboratories to Achieve ISO 15189:2012 Accreditation in Malawi: The University of Maryland Malawi Experience
JF Global Health: Science and Practice
JO GLOB HEALTH SCI PRACT
FD Johns Hopkins University- Global Health. Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Communication Programs
SP e2400254
DO 10.9745/GHSP-D-24-00254
VO 12
IS 6
A1 Moyo, Hannaniah
A1 Osawe, Sophia
A1 Nyangulu, Charles
A1 Ndhlovu, Philemon
A1 Harawa, Visopo
A1 Divala, Oscar
A1 Msukwa, Malango
A1 Croxton, Talishiea
A1 Blanco, Natalia
A1 Mwandama, Dyson
A1 Mkandawire, Memory
A1 Kampira, Elizabeth
A1 Kaba, Muluken
A1 Maida, Alice
A1 Auld, Andrew F.
A1 Kim, Lindsay
A1 Mwenda, Reuben
A1 Kress, Howard
A1 Kandulu, James
A1 Sumani, Thresa
A1 Bitilinyu, Joseph
A1 Kalua, Thokozani
A1 Abimiku, Alash’le
YR 2024
UL http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/12/6/e2400254.abstract
AB Key FindingsCombining virtual and on-site mentorship sessions and training can be an effective strategy to support laboratories seeking accreditation.A reduced accreditation scope (number of test types) in the first stage of seeking accreditation can aid the accreditation process.Continuous mentorship is key in the maintenance of accreditation.Key ImplicationHybrid mentorship can be a potential strategy for achieving and maintaining accreditation at a reduced cost.Introduction:As part of a laboratory strengthening program in Malawi to achieve and maintain International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15189 accreditation, we intended to mentor selected HIV molecular laboratories to achieve this accreditation. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mentorship pivoted to a hybrid model using an Internet-based approach and on-site mentorships. We describe the implementation of this strategy, successes, and challenges.Methods:We conducted weekly, 1-hour virtual mentorship sessions for the 5 initial laboratories (cohort 1) selected based on their Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) performance score of 3 or more stars. Laboratories presented updates and supporting documents electronically, and trainings were conducted virtually. In September 2020, when travel restrictions were relaxed, we initiated hybrid mentorships and audits for cohort 1 laboratories. The same hybrid approach was used to mentor 4 additional laboratories in cohort 2. We performed descriptive analysis, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the training pre-and post-test scores.Results:Between March 2020 and May 2023, the team completed a total of 54 virtual mentorship sessions and 20 on-site visits across 9 laboratories. Overall, the team conducted 8 training sessions for 35 laboratory quality officers. Median score improvement (pre-test vs. post-test scores) was observed across individual trainings and across cohorts (P<.01). At the end of cohort 1, 4 of 5 (80%) laboratories were accredited. One laboratory that did not reach accreditation joined cohort 2. At the end of the mentoring period, all 5 cohort 2 laboratories were accredited.Conclusions:We demonstrated that using a hybrid mentorship model for accreditation was a successful strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time in Malawi, this strategy resulted in accrediting 9 of the 10 HIV molecular laboratories in 3 years at a reduced cost. Continuous mentorship is key in the maintenance of accreditation.