Govt now certifying medical laboratories on ISO 15189:2007

Government is now instituting an accreditation scheme for medical laboratories to strengthen the country's medical tourism industry protect Filipino patients. "Medical laboratory accreditation would give patients the confidence in the medical institution administering laboratory tests as its technical competence complies with ISO 15189:2007, the international standard used for medical laboratory accreditation," Trade Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said Wednesday. With accredited medical laboratories, patients are assured that the staff are "competent and well-trained to perform and interpret tests, provide reliable diagnosis, and conduct appropriate treatment," according to Maglaya. Medical laboratory accreditation, she added, would further enhance medical tourism in the country as it promotes quality and technical competence of local medical services that can compete with neighboring countries. The Trade Department, through the Philippine Accreditation Office (PAO), is now issuing accreditation seals using the ISO 15189:2007 to measure the technical capacity of medical laboratories. ISO 15189:2007 specifies the particular requirements for quality and competence of medical laboratories, such as personnel qualifications, training, and experience, calibrated and maintained equipment, adequate quality assurance procedures, accurate recording and reporting procedures, and suitable testing facilities. Maglaya pointed the importance of having an independent body such as PAO because a "patient's life is at risk if test results and interpretations are erroneous, [leading] to inappropriate treatment, prolonged illness, and even death." —JE, GMANews.TV