Medical labs credibility in testing procedure

Credibility of medical laboratories is central to the health of the patients relying on test accuracy and proper diagnosis of disease by medical practitioners. Any laboratory error not only causes complications for patients and shakes their confidence, but also raises question on credibility of the laboratories.
This fact is known to everyone that faulty results or wrong estimation of the severity of diseases lingers on patient’s illness and put extra financial burden on them. An error-ridden laboratory has a higher operating expenses due to repetition in tests and several other reasons including faulty equipment or unqualified staff, while an error-free laboratory, due to its accuracy in test results, increases patient confidence. This is fact that several laboratories having state-of-the-art testing facilities are improving the confidence of patients on their services. Experts define pathology as scientific study of the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences.
These Pathologists always emphasize the importance of maintaining a safe work environment in the laboratory to provide the patients reliable laboratory test results. Dr. Tahir Hameed, a head of Capital Lab said all medical tests are done in his lab through a proper procedure and by using modern methods to get accurate result. Chief Pathologist, Islamabad Diagnostic Centre Dr. Sohail Rashid Ahmad said fresh chemicals are used during the lab tests to gain accurate results.
He however claimed, “some labs use out-dated chemicals in the tests which can affect on the tests’ results.” Over 100 authorized medical labs and healthcare centers are operating in public and private sector in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. But, it is yet a question to be answered if all have the same working mechanism or their test results are the same. Nevertheless, owner of every laboratory may claim to have best equipments and the best medical experts to judge the results.
“All the tests are performed by well qualified technicians under the supervision of expert Pathologists in the lab. The tests are repeated to obtain valid results”, said Rana Imran Ali Khan, Manager operations, Excel Lab. Director Citi Lab, Zubair Nasir almost has the same views in functioning of his laboratory. “Citi Lab is totally computerized and well equipped having facility of 300 tests of various forms,” he stated.
He said keeping in view the new trends in testing services it is must for every lab to train its technicians off and on. Most of the laboratories provide a very high quality, immediate and reliable diagnostic services including cancer and non-cancer diseases. According to health experts, quality assurance and the laboratory information system should be under close supervision of the pathologists and laboratory managers to ensure reliability and promptness of test results.
Many of the less complicated tests are performed by physicians in office laboratories while more complex tests are performed only within hospital laboratories or in laboratories where sophisticated equipment are available.
“A quality assurance programme of laboratory tests is emerging day by day which is a must for success of every laboratory,” said a doctor. He said this system enables the labs to identify problems, develop solutions and monitor the success or improvement. The most successful laboratory programs require proficiency in training and testing as well as competency and error tracking.
“Laboratory’s specific and unique characteristics influence test performance. Laboratory without trained staff could be in a high-risk position,” an expert remarked. In the public sector, the federal government has introduced state-of-the-art equipments in laboratories of the hospitals being run by the federal health ministry. Now a test result is delivered to the patient within less than an hour time, which earlier used to take hours.
Undergoing personal experiences at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Federal Government Services Hospital (FGSH or Poly Clinic) revealed that test for the emergency patients are not only free of cost but also results are delivered within minimum possible time.
Many of the experts working on these automatic machines have been imparted essential medical and technical training. Now for a blood CP, the experts working at a computerized machine can accomplish the test results within 10 to 15 minutes.—APP