Quality takes precedence at Labo Maenhout

Since 1995, Clinical Laboratory Maenhout has been working according to a quality manual . This resulted in accreditation by the Scientific Institute of Public Health (WIV). Since then, work has been carried out in a standardised manner according to a quality system.
Since the arrival of the Clinical Biology Practice Guideline on 3 December 1999, the quality system has been fine-tuned, as a result of which work has been done according to the practice guideline and the specific international standard ISO 15189 for 15 years now. This quality system ensures that not only the analytical phase of a laboratory analysis, but also the pre- and post-analytical phases are better controlled and guaranteed.

Quality control

To deliver reliable results to the GP, it is important to build up a well-structured quality system within the laboratory. To this end, Labo Maenhout uses software that allows better monitoring of the quality of laboratory analyses. The software, Unity Real Time 2.0, ensures that all processes are kept under control using internal quality controls and statistics. Everything can be monitored via a central computer and adjustments can be made immediately where necessary.

A second aspect of this cooperation is that results of the internal quality controls within Labo Maenhout can be compared with other laboratories around the world. This is done via QCnet.com, where monthly reports are distributed. The information obtained here is very useful and is a great added value for quality assurance. Besides all these quality checks, we also participate in the external quality evaluation (EKE) organised by the WIV.

Acknowledgements

• Recognition by the Ministry of Health for performing medical laboratory tests for private medics and ambulatory patients.
  
• Recognition by the International Cycling Federation (UCI) for performing medical laboratory examinations in the context of sports medicine.