Standardization and Quality Improvement of Laboratory Services in India: Need and Challenges

Abstract

Quality is a subjective term – subjective with respect to individual and time. Quality concepts were introduced and implemented by industry during world war II. In health care system, these concepts were introduced later. Indian health care system is transforming. The publically funded system run by the Government is focusing on coverage but quality of service is doubtful. On the other hand, corporate ‘for profit’ hospitals claim quality but with humongous cost. Laboratory services are crucial in today’s health care. The laboratory service provisioning in India is very complex with respect to structure, facilities rendered as well as governance. This sector faces many internal and external challenges in affirming quality. Accreditation provides a first step towards quality assurance of laboratory services. This monograph discusses the need and challenges in accreditation of laboratory services in India.

Keywords

• accreditation
• diagnostics
• healthcare
• quality assurance