Latest news with #ISO15189
Zawya
18-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Africa's Growing Pool of Lab Assessors
Africa's need for more laboratory quality systems experts to improve the accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of laboratory results, which are crucial for accurate diagnosis, disease surveillance, and evidence-based healthcare decision-making, is getting attention. The latest expansion of the continent's pool of qualified laboratory assessors, essential for ISO 15189:2022 accreditation, a set of international rules that helps medical laboratories ensure their test results are accurate, reliable, and safe for patient care, came with the training of 23 participants from 10 African Union Member States in Accra, Ghana. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), with support from the World Bank, hosted the third regional Technical Assessor Training Workshop for Accreditation of Laboratories from March 24 to April 4, 2025. Accreditation is the backbone of reliable, high-quality diagnostics, a critical pillar for disease prevention, management, and response, said Donewell Bangure, Senior Epidemiologist at Africa CDC and a leading advocate for laboratory accreditation. Yet, for many African laboratories, high costs and limited access to qualified technical assessors have remained major barriers. In some cases, travel-related expenses alone account for up to 60 percent of total accreditation costs, he said. To address these challenges, Africa CDC, in collaboration with the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS), launched the Technical Assessor Training Program to develop local capacity in Member States. By equipping laboratory professionals with internationally recognized expertise, the initiative directly supports Africa CDC's mission of safeguarding Africa's health and building sustainable, resilient health systems across the continent. The latest training, with participants from Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Tanzania, Liberia, Gambia, Burundi, Rwanda, and South Sudan, builds on earlier sessions held in Harare, Zimbabwe, and Kampala, Uganda. Over a 12-day intensive learning experience, participants gained comprehensive knowledge of the ISO 15189:2022 standard through theoretical modules, interactive case studies, and a hands-on assessment practicum at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. 'The health security of our continent depends on the strength of our laboratory systems. By investing in homegrown assessors, we are not just reducing costs, we are building an Africa-led future of quality, resilience, and self-reliance,' said Bangure. Speaking on behalf of Dr. Ignatius Abowini Nchor Awinibuno, the Director for Allied Health in Ghana's Ministry of Health, William Addo said the training was not merely a technical exercise but a strategic investment in Africa's health sovereignty. 'By equipping assessors across the continent, we are building a self-sustaining network of experts who will safeguard lives, advance universal health coverage, and lead Africa's laboratories toward global excellence,' he said. Ms. Doris Mengo, Manager in charge of Medical and Veterinary Laboratories, Diagnostic Imaging and Proficiency Test Providers Accreditation Department at KENAS, reaffirmed the importance of partnerships in delivering accessible and cost-effective accreditation services, while Ghana Health Service leaders praised the program's alignment with national priorities for laboratory quality improvement. Under the expert guidance of seasoned facilitators from KENAS, participants delved into critical areas such as risk management, assessment techniques, metrological traceability, and quality management systems. The field practicum allowed trainees to apply their learning in real laboratory settings, evaluating systems and practices against ISO 15189:2022 standards. As Africa CDC looks ahead, initiatives like the Technical Assessor Training Program are central to its broader vision, an Africa where health threats are detected, prevented, and controlled swiftly and effectively by resilient, well-equipped systems. 'Strengthening laboratory accreditation directly contributes to this goal by ensuring that laboratories across the continent are not only capable of providing accurate diagnostics but are also globally recognized for their quality and competence,' said Bangure. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Associated Press
30-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Orchard Software Secures #1 Client-Rated Laboratory Information System for the 7th Consecutive Year in Black Book(TM) User Survey
TAMPA, FL / ACCESS Newswire / January 30, 2025 / Orchard Software has once again achieved the highest overall client satisfaction ratings in the annual Black Book™ User Survey, securing its position as the #1 Laboratory Information System (LIS) vendor for the seventh consecutive year. Conducted independently by Black Book Research, this evaluation reflects the voice of nearly three thousand healthcare lab IT users and remains completely free of vendor influence or financial bias. Orchard's consistent ranking demonstrates its unparalleled commitment to addressing the evolving needs of laboratories across the healthcare spectrum. The Black Book annual survey, renowned for its rigorous, vendor-agnostic methodology, ranks vendors based on 18 critical Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Orchard Software stood out as a leader in multiple categories, showcasing its ability to deliver comprehensive, innovative, and client-centric LIS solutions. The results underscore Orchard's leadership in diverse laboratory settings, including hospitals, health systems, reference labs, physician practices, and public health agencies. Orchard Software's standout performance includes the following KPIs: Workflow Optimization and Operational Efficiency: Orchard Software received a top score of 9.53 of a possible 10 for streamlining laboratory operations through automation, seamless sample tracking, and intuitive result reporting. This efficiency directly translates to reduced operational costs and improved productivity across diverse lab environments. Predictive Analytics and AI Integration: Scoring 9.65 in this KPI, Orchard's solutions harness AI-driven insights for anomaly detection, resource optimization, and enhanced diagnostic accuracy. Laboratories praised the platform for enabling smarter, data-driven decision-making to meet modern diagnostic demands. Compliance Facilitation and Regulatory Support: With a score of 9.43, Orchard Software's alignment with stringent regulatory frameworks such as CLIA, ISO 15189, and GDPR positions it as a trusted partner for laboratories navigating complex compliance landscapes. Features like automated audit trails and interoperability were highlighted as game-changers. Scalability and Customizability: Orchard earned a score of 9.39 for its adaptable solutions, capable of meeting the needs of both small diagnostic facilities and large enterprise-level reference laboratories. This flexibility ensures labs can scale operations efficiently without sacrificing functionality. Implementation Effectiveness: Orchard's implementation and onboarding processes were rated 9.64, emphasizing its ability to minimize disruption and support clients through seamless transitions and comprehensive training. 'The Black Book rankings represent the authentic voice of healthcare IT users, uncolored by vendor influence or financial relationships,' said Doug Brown, Founder of Black Book. 'As an independent research firm, we are proud to provide unbiased, vendor-agnostic insights that healthcare organizations can trust. Orchard Software's sustained excellence in laboratory information systems demonstrates the power of aligning innovative technology with the operational and diagnostic needs of laboratories. Their advancements in AI, interoperability, and decision support epitomize the transformative potential of LIS in modern healthcare.' Key Trends Shaping the LIS Market in 2025 The findings of this year's Black Book survey also highlight critical trends redefining laboratory information systems: Interoperability & Data Integration: Laboratories increasingly demand seamless data exchange with EHRs, Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), and diagnostic devices to support value-based care and coordinated diagnostics. AI-Driven Diagnostics: Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing LIS platforms, enabling predictive analytics, advanced quality control, and resource forecasting. Cloud-Based Solutions: The adoption of cloud technology is accelerating, offering cost-effective, secure, and scalable solutions for both centralized and decentralized testing environments. Precision Medicine & Genomics: Advanced LIS platforms now integrate molecular diagnostics and genomic sequencing tools, enabling personalized medicine and improving patient outcomes. About Black Book Research Black Book™ is the healthcare industry's only fully independent market research and competitive intelligence firm, conducting unbiased evaluations free from vendor influence or financial interests. With over 3,000,000 validated survey responses since 2013, Black Book delivers trusted insights into vendor performance, empowering healthcare organizations to make informed decisions. For the full report or to learn more about the 2025 Black Book LIS rankings, visit .
