Cimas Harare Medical Laboratory, Zimbabwe
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SADCAS Accreditation Certificate Handover Ceremony
From left: Dr. Mafingei Nyamwanza (Managing Director, Cimas Medical Services Division), Maureen Mutasa (CEO SADCAS), Dr David Parirenyatwa (Minister of Health and Child Care), Douglas Mangwanya (Chairman of Laboratory Services in SADC)
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Internal Audit Team
From left: Naison Machaka, Lydia Madovi, Erica Chidziva (Lead Internal Auditor), Roselin Magaramombe (Laboratory Manager), Sandra Mavuto (Quality Coordinator), Sandra Mamvura and Josphat Chinyama.
- What was the hardest thing to do in order to get accredited?
- To get buy-in from staff and foster teamwork in the various departments.
- To get staff to start documenting everything, because it was perceived as extra work in view of the already existing tasks.
- To get staff to write SOPs in a standardized format, read the policies and procedures, and to follow the written procedures.
- What was the easiest?
- To get buy-in from Management on the financial requirements.
- To train enthusiastic internal auditors.
- What was the most important contributing factor to getting accredited?
- Having the lab manager enroll and participate in the SLMTA program.
- Having the Managing Director champion the cause.
- Training all staff in QMS and ensuring that they embrace quality as a way of life.
- Getting a SLMTA mentor to walk the walk with us.
- What steps did you take ?
- Step 1 : Enrolling and participating in the SLMTA program.
- Step 2 : Identifying staff’s talents and empowering them to use those talents.
- Step 3 : Involving a mentor all the way.
- Step 4 : Training staff in all aspects of QMS.
- Step 5 : Internal auditing and having a quality team to assess and review all processes.
- What were the biggest mistakes you made?
- Not budgeting for accreditation initially (i.e., the costs involving improvement projects to comply with all the requirements).
- Assuming that because we had highly qualified and experienced scientists, the road towards accreditation would be smooth going.
- Inadequate knowledge of the application process and time lines.
- What is the best advice you can give to others?
- Ensure top management is heavily involved and committed.
- Never give up even when the going is tough.
- Involve everyone and communicate with staff all the way; give praise where it is due and acknowledge good work by giving certificates etc.
- Involve the finance people and make them part of the process since they control the finances.
- Accreditation is a journey with no destination – no system is perfect but there is room for continuous improvement as the identified gaps are closed.