Original Research

Innovative strategies for a successful SLMTA country programme: The Rwanda story

Innocent Nzabahimana, Sabin Sebasirimu, John B. Gatabazi, Emmanuel Ruzindana, Claver Kayobotsi, Mary K. Linde, Jean B. Mazarati, Edouard Ntagwabira, Janvier Serumondo, Georges A. Dahourou, Wangeci Gatei, Claude M. Muvunyi
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 3, No 2 | a217 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v3i2.217 | © 2014 Innocent Nzabahimana, Sabin Sebasirimu, John B. Gatabazi, Emmanuel Ruzindana, Claver Kayobotsi, Mary K. Linde, Jean B. Mazarati, Edouard Ntagwabira, Janvier Serumondo, Georges A. Dahourou, Wangeci Gatei, Claude M. Muvunyi | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 25 July 2014 | Published: 03 November 2014

About the author(s)

Innocent Nzabahimana, Rwanda Biomedical Center/National Reference Laboratory, Rwanda
Sabin Sebasirimu, Rwanda Biomedical Center/National Reference Laboratory, Rwanda
John B. Gatabazi, Rwanda Miltary Hospital, Rwanda
Emmanuel Ruzindana, Rwanda Biomedical Center/National Reference Laboratory, Rwanda
Claver Kayobotsi, Single Project Implementation Unit (SPIU)/Ministry of Health, Kenya
Mary K. Linde, American Society for Clinical Pathology(ASCP), United States
Jean B. Mazarati, Rwanda Biomedical Center/National reference Laboratory, Rwanda
Edouard Ntagwabira, Rwanda Biomedical Center/National reference Laboratory, Rwanda
Janvier Serumondo, Rwanda Biomedical Center/National reference Laboratory, Rwanda
Georges A. Dahourou, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Rwanda
Wangeci Gatei, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Rwanda
Claude M. Muvunyi, Rwanda Biomedical Center/National reference Laboratory, Rwanda

Abstract

Background: In 2009, to improve the performance of laboratories and strengthen healthcare systems, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) and partners launched two initiatives: a laboratory quality improvement programme called Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA), and what is now called the Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA).

Objectives: This study describes the achievements of Rwandan laboratories four years after the introduction of SLMTA in the country, using the SLIPTA scoring system to measure laboratory progress.

Methods: Three cohorts of five laboratories each were enrolled in the SLMTA programme in 2010, 2011 and 2013. The cohorts used SLMTA workshops, improvement projects, mentorship and quarterly performance-based financing incentives to accelerate laboratory quality improvement. Baseline, exit and follow-up audits were conducted over a two-year period from the time of enrolment. Audit scores were used to categorise laboratory quality on a scale of zero (< 55%) to five (95% – 100%) stars.

Results: At baseline, 14 of the 15 laboratories received zero stars with the remaining laboratory receiving a two-star rating. At exit, five laboratories received one star, six received two stars and four received three stars. At the follow-up audit conducted in the first two cohorts approximately one year after exit, one laboratory scored two stars, five laboratories earned three stars and four laboratories, including the National Reference Laboratory, achieved four stars.

Conclusion: Rwandan laboratories enrolled in SLMTA showed improvement in quality management systems. Sustaining the gains and further expansion of the SLMTA programme to meet country targets will require continued programme strengthening.


Keywords

No related keywords in the metadata.

Metrics

Total abstract views: 8073
Total article views: 13126

 

Crossref Citations

1. The SLMTA programme: Transforming the laboratory landscape in developing countries
Katy Yao, Talkmore Maruta, Elizabeth T. Luman, John N. Nkengasong
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine  vol: 3  issue: 2  year: 2014  
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v3i2.194

2. Survey of Clinical and Anatomic Pathology Laboratory Infrastructure in Mozambique
Mamudo R Ismail, Emília V Noormahomed, Shaun Lawicki, Quentin Eichbaum
American Journal of Clinical Pathology  vol: 156  issue: 5  first page: 810  year: 2021  
doi: 10.1093/ajcp/aqab026

3. Implementing and Transitioning a Laboratory Quality Management System from ISO 15189:2012 to ISO 15189:2022: Experience from the Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme, Blantyre
Dumizulu Tembo, Joshua S Kaphika, Ajisa Ahmadu, Lovemore Alufandika, Vincent Kalilangwe, Christopher Kukacha, Dumisani Kaphika, Funny T Lipenga, Mirriam Machonjo, Sekani Manda, Mazuba Masina, Emmanuel C Mchoma, Alice C Mnyanga, Innocent M Moyo, Fatsani P Mutala, Patrick Mzumara, Doris Shani, George P Selemani, Brigitte Denis
Wellcome Open Research  vol: 11  first page: 144  year: 2026  
doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25356.2

4. Implementing and Transitioning a Laboratory Quality Management System from ISO 15189:2012 to ISO 15189:2022: Experience from the Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme, Blantyre
Dumizulu Tembo, Joshua S Kaphika, Ajisa Ahmadu, Lovemore Alufandika, Vincent Kalilangwe, Christopher Kukacha, Dumisani Kaphika, Funny T Lipenga, Mirriam Machonjo, Sekani Manda, Mazuba Masina, Emmanuel C Mchoma, Alice C Mnyanga, Innocent M Moyo, Fatsani P Mutala, Patrick Mzumara, Doris Shani, George P Selemani, Brigitte Denis
Wellcome Open Research  vol: 11  first page: 144  year: 2026  
doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25356.1

5. Review of the Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) version 2:2015
Tjeerd A.M. Datema, Linda Oskam, Jacqueline E.W. Broerse, Paul R. Klatser
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine  vol: 9  issue: 1  year: 2020  
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v9i1.1068

6. A comprehensive review of the SLMTA literature part 1: Content analysis and future priorities
Elizabeth T. Luman, Katy Yao, John N. Nkengasong
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine  vol: 3  issue: 2  year: 2014  
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v3i2.265

7. Clinical Referral Laboratory Personnel’s Perception of Challenges and Strategies for Sustaining the Laboratory Quality Management System
Vincent Rusanganwa, Jean Bosco Gahutu, Magnus Evander, Anna-Karin Hurtig
American Journal of Clinical Pathology  vol: 152  issue: 6  first page: 725  year: 2019  
doi: 10.1093/ajcp/aqz092

8. Implementing SLMTA in the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service: lessons learned
Eric N. Wakaria, Charles O. Rombo, Margaret Oduor, Serah M. Kambale, Kimberly Tilock, Daniel Kimani, Ernest Makokha, Peter M. Mwamba, Jane Mwangi
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine  vol: 6  issue: 1  year: 2017  
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v6i1.585

9. Microbiology laboratories involved in disease and antimicrobial resistance surveillance: Strengths and challenges of the central African states
Passoret Vounba, Severin Loul, Ludovic F. Tamadea, Joël F.D. Siawaya
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine  vol: 11  issue: 1  year: 2022  
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v11i1.1570

10. Key success factors for the implementation of quality management systems in developing countries
Iryna Tanasiichuk, Olha Karaman, Larysa Natrus
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine  vol: 12  issue: 1  year: 2023  
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v12i1.2058

11. A comprehensive review of the SLMTA literature part 2: Measuring success
Elizabeth T. Luman, Katy Yao, John N. Nkengasong
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine  vol: 3  issue: 2  year: 2014  
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v3i2.276

12. Using standard and institutional mentorship models to implement SLMTA in Kenya
Ernest P. Makokha, Samuel Mwalili, Frank L. Basiye, Clement Zeh, Wilfred I. Emonyi, Raphael Langat, Elizabeth T. Luman, Jane Mwangi
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine  vol: 3  issue: 2  year: 2014  
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v3i2.220