Preparedness of district clinical laboratories towards ISO 15189: 2012 accreditation scheme in Lake Zone, Tanzania (a descriptive cross-sectional study)

Introduction: diagnosis, prevention, and surveillance of diseases relies on high quality laboratory services. However, accessibility and availability of the quality laboratory services among healthcare facilities remains a serious challenge among sub-Saharan African countries. This study investigated the preparedness of district clinical laboratories for ISO 15189: 2012 accreditation scheme using Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) checklistin Lake Zone, Tanzania. Methods: this descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2018 to August 2019 among clinical laboratories at district hospitals and council designated hospitals in Lake Zone regions of Tanzania. Data were collected using the verified WHO-SLIPTA checklist. In each laboratory, either the laboratory manager, quality officer or safety officer was interviewed. Results: a total of 10 health laboratories affiliated to 6 districts and 4 councils designated hospitals were enrolled. Six laboratory managers and four quality officers were interviewed. Six (60%) and 4 (40%) laboratories were under government ownership and private ownership, respectively. The majority (70%, n=7) of medical district laboratories in Lake Zone-Tanzania were not registered for WHO-SLIPTA. Conclusion: about two third of district and council designated hospital laboratories in Lake zone are not registered for WHO-SLIPTA indicating unpreparedness towards ISO 15189: 2012 accreditation.