18-19 September 2024, Naguilian, La Union: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB), recently conducted a highly informative “Orientation on ISO 15189:2022 (Requirements for Quality and Competence in Medical Laboratories), and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories) Laboratory Quality Standards for the apex medical centers, hospitals and selected Center for Health Development (CHDs) under the Department of Health in Region 1.

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Erica Sibayan, Health Facilities Enhancement Program-Office for Health Laboratories (HFEP-OHL) Section Head, acknowledged that understanding the requirements of these international standards can be challenging. However, he encouraged the participants to persevere as the knowledge is valuable for improving laboratory services.

The workshop/orientation aimed to provide invaluable insights and guidance on the implementation and adherence to ISO 15189 and ISO/IEC 17025 standards which are crucial in ensuring the quality, efficiency, sustainability, and accessibility of laboratory services in the region. The invited speakers from the Philippine Accreditation Bureau discussed the detailed requirements of the ISO standards and how these can help improve laboratory operations as the Philippine Health Laboratory System is taking a significant step to harmonize the entire laboratory system in the country.

Mr. Marlon A. Macadamia, the resource speaker for ISO 15189, emphasized the importance of a robust quality management system for medical testing laboratories. Ms. Katrina A. Talle  discussed the ISO/IEC 17025 management and technical requirements that the testing and calibration laboratories must comply with. The PAB accreditation process was also presented to give the participants an overview of what is required to obtain its benefits.

To further gauge the comprehension of the participants, a sample scenario and a post-test after the discussion of specific clauses of the standards were given. This innovative approach aims to solidify the knowledge gained during the workshop and will serve as a valuable tool for participants to evaluate their understanding and retention of the detailed discussions on the standards.

Dr. Erica Sibayan closed the activity by thanking the speakers for sharing their expertise and knowledge. He also emphasized the importance of accreditation for laboratories to excel in service quality and gain clients’ trust and encouraged the participants to pursue accreditation to meet international standards. With accredited medical testing laboratories, patients can have confidence in the results and recommendations they receive.

This collaboration between the DTI-PAB and the DOH Region 1 reflects a concerted effort to elevate the standards and efficiency of laboratory services, ultimately contributing to an improved healthcare system in the region.

PAB is committed to promoting and enhancing the quality and efficiency of laboratory services through the implementation of international standards such as ISO 15189 and ISO/IEC 17025. The workshops and orientations provide vital support to healthcare institutions in their pursuit of delivering superior healthcare services in the community.

For more information about PAB’s accreditation services and its initiatives, please visit https://www.dti.gov.ph/pab/ services/.

Release Date: 01 October 2024.

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