Lessons learned

1What was the hardest thing to do in order to get accredited?

• Resignation of quality manager of ten years at the 11th hour
• Changes in institutional leadership in the journey towards accreditation

2What was the easiest?

• Support from the highest levels of management

3What was the most important contributing factor to getting accredited?

• Strong laboratory leadership
• Ownership, commitment of staff and willingness to go extra mile
• Support from implementing partner

4What steps did you take?

• Step 1: Training and retraining of all staff including SLMTA trainings
• Step 2: Enlightenment of new leadership
• Step 3: Appointed and trained a new quality manager
• Step 4: Provided supportive oversight
• Step 5: Conducted frequent internal audits to maintain system  

5What were the biggest mistakes you made?

• Transition of Implementing Partners for our laboratory at a critical point in accreditation preparedness as we experienced should be avoided

6What is the best advice you can give to others?

• In order to achieve laboratory accreditation, there must be support from the highest levels of management; therefore strong advocacy to management is a necessary starting point. Similarly, involvement and motivation of all staff are essential; their dedication and commitment is important. More laboratories should apply for accreditation; it is an attainable accomplishment.