The Mentorship Program to Strengthen and Improve the Quality Management System of Medical Laboratories in Togo

Background: Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) is an assessment checklist proposed by WHO for baseline assessment, supervision, monitoring, and evaluation of medical laboratory progress towards accreditation. Objectives: Strengthen the quality management system (QMS) of the medical laboratories in health facilities across Togo. Methods: A pool of auditors and mentors was trained on the WHO SLIPTA and Laboratory Quality Stepwise Implementation tools. After baseline assessment in 86 labs, 35 of them with zero stars were selected and supported by the mentorship program. The impact of the program was evaluated after 6 months (follow-up I), and the sustainability was measured after 12 months (follow-up II) and 18 months (follow-up III). Results: Baseline scores ranged from 11-83% with an average of 32%. Over 90% of the labs had zero stars, and 1.2%, 2.3%, and 5.1% got one star, two stars, and three stars, respectively. A significant impact of the program was observed at the follow-up I assessment by an increased average SLIPTA score from 27.8% to 53.4%. Among 35 labs mentored, 45.7% got one star and 8.6% got two stars. The sustainability of the program was shown by an increase in the score from 53.4% to 58.2% between follow-up I and follow-up II and a slight decrease from 58.2% to 56.1% between follow-up II and follow-up III. Conclusion: This mentorship program remains an excellent approach used to help Togo medical labs improve their QMS.