The Aga Khan University Hospital laboratory has been accredited by a global agency for the second time after meeting the expected quality of diagnostic services.
The accreditation was done by the US-based College of American Pathologists (CAP), the premier accreditation agency for clinical laboratories globally.
Accreditation helps laboratories maintain the accuracy of test results and patient diagnosis.
It assists laboratories in managing rapidly evolving changes in laboratory medicine and technology.
“This re-accreditation is an external validation that we are providing the highest quality diagnostic services that ensure quality patient care and patient safety as measured by international standards,” hospital CEO Rashid Khalani said.
“A doctor relies on accurate and timely diagnosis to administer the correct treatment. Therefore, your treatment is as good as the diagnosis.”
The re-accreditation was a culmination of a rigorous audit process based on a review of the hospital laboratory’s compliance with 23 checklists.
“Besides guiding us to maintain the highest standards in diagnostics, this programme offers professional development and learning opportunities for our laboratory staff and facilitates the exchange of ideas and best practices among pathology and laboratory medicine peers,” he added.
The hospital’s laboratory was first accredited by CAP in 2018, becoming the first hospital laboratory in Eastern and Central Africa to receive the coveted accreditation.
In addition to the CAP accreditation, the hospital laboratory is also ISO 15189 accredited by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS).
The hospital was first accredited by SANAS in 2011 and has been re-accredited annually since then.
The laboratory is also accredited by Joint Commission International, the recognised global leader in health quality standards.
The compliance checklist was developed with input from more than 500 pathologists and laboratory experts and is updated annually to help laboratories stay current with rapidly evolving advances in laboratory medicine, technology and regulatory compliance.