Quality Management System Implementation of Hospital Laborato-ries in the Philippines

Ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and reproducibility of results depends on robust laboratory quality management system (QMS). However, QMS in laboratories remains a global challenge in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to determine the extent of QMS implementation of Region XII hospital laboratories in the Philippines. A Quantitative-Descriptive design was utilized and selection of respondents was achieved through complete enumeration. A total of 55 laboratory managers were assessed through a survey in terms of implementation of the 12 Quality System Essentials (QSEs). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicated a significant difference in implementation in the areas of organization, customer focus, facilities and safety management, assessments, and continual improvement. In terms of overall implementation, hospital laboratories implemented QMS to a very high extent with private hospital laboratories showing higher mean score compared to government hospital laboratories. However, since QSEs are set of interconnected indicators, low-rated indicators were significantly pulled by higher-rated implementation. This implies the necessity for strategic actions by hospital laboratories for the lower-scoring indicators to address the weak areas of the laboratory’s QMS.