Original Research

Using the SLIPTA checklist to assess laboratory readiness for Joint Commission International accreditation

Abdul K. El Karaaoui, Nada Assaf
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a2044 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v12i1.2044 | © 2023 Abdul K. El Karaaoui, Nada Assaf | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 28 July 2022 | Published: 15 March 2023

About the author(s)

Abdul K. El Karaaoui, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Nada Assaf, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

Abstract

Background: The Stepwise Laboratory Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) helps prepare laboratories in low- and middle-income countries to achieve international accreditation aligned with the ISO 15189:2012 standards. Accreditation by the Joint Commission International (JCI) is among the highest sought by hospitals worldwide. While the readiness of laboratories with a five-star SLIPTA score to undergo ISO 15189:2012 accreditation was recently assessed, the compliance of the SLIPTA checklist with JCI is still unknown.

Objective: The study evaluated the SLIPTA checklist’s utility in assessing laboratories to meet the JCI standards.

Methods: We conducted a detailed gap analysis between SLIPTA and JCI laboratory standards from January 2021 to January 2022. We cross-matched the JCI standard requirements to SLIPTA clauses and categorised each standard into ‘met’, ‘partially met’, and ‘not met’. We highlighted similarities, discrepancies, and improvement areas.

Results: A total of 109 JCI standards were included. The SLIPTA checklist completely met 61 standards, partially met four, but did not meet 44. The unmet JCI standards focused on the quality planning, control, and improvement sections. Healthcare organisation management and quality control processes, including selecting an accredited reference laboratory, collecting quality management data, creating of post-analytical policies and procedures, and validating monitoring systems, constitute the basis of this preparation.

Conclusion: The SLIPTA checklist covers major quality management system elements of the JCI standards for laboratories. However, some components should be addressed to assure readiness for JCI accreditation.

What this study adds: This study identified additional areas not covered by the SLIPTA checklist that are required for JCI accreditation.


Keywords

standard culture; Joint Commission International; laboratory accreditation; low- and middle-income countries

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Metrics

Total abstract views: 1912
Total article views: 1435

 

Crossref Citations

1. Laboratory Surveillance, Quality Management, and Its Role in Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance in Africa: A Narrative Review
Khalid Musa, Ijeoma Okoliegbe, Tassabeeh Abdalaziz, Ahmed Taha Aboushady, John Stelling, Ian M. Gould
Antibiotics  vol: 12  issue: 8  first page: 1313  year: 2023  
doi: 10.3390/antibiotics12081313