Monthly Archives: June

CAREC EU – Operational Research

The goal of this component was to foster a climate of evidence-based decision-making through encouraging management trainees to initiate simple research projects and through conducting operational research agreed with key stakeholders and generating data relevant to the improvement of laboratory management and operations. The major achievements of this component included conduct of several studies. These

CAREC EU – RRN Criteria

Criteria to be met by reference node laboratories (based on WHO HIV Drug Resistance reference lab model) Complete laboratory infrastructure and equipment to support the testing function(s) Space (meeting required safety standards) Equipment Consistent supply of reagents (inventory control) Regionally recognised experience and leadership in the specific area Laboratory experience in the specific area (>3 years,

CAREC EU – RRN Survey

Countries indicating interest in providing regional reference node service: Bahamas – Viral load, CD4, Western blot, DNA-PCR Barbados – CD4, Viral load Jamaica – HIV diagnosis, CD4/CD8 testing, viral load, PCR, TB smear, culture and sensitivity testing, cervical cytology, malaria Other includes: Dengue confirmatory testing Influenza typing TB antibiotic susceptibility testing Referral service locations: Aruba

CAREC EU – Regional Reference Nodes

Given the realities of the Caribbean region with respect to geography, small size of countries and limitations of resources, the concept of regional reference nodes has long been a discussion between CAREC and member countries. The concept is one in which laboratories having expertise in specific areas would undertake responsibility for providing laboratory support services

CAREC EU – Proficiency Testing

Participation in external quality assessment programmes helps medical laboratories and their clients have assurance that they provide accurate information to make decisions that influence plans and activities in health care. Successful participation in EQA programmes is required for laboratories to comply with the requirements of international standards governing their progress to accreditation. Therefore, a goal

CAREC EU – Information Management

Medical Laboratories are perceived to be among the most expensive facilities in any health service, yet in the Caribbean, they remain a largely underutilised resource. The majority of the data created in the process of in-vitro diagnostic testing is never converted into timely information to guide public health policy and health interventions. Cost-effective laboratory medicine

CAREC EU – Regional Coordination Intro

The overall goal of the regional co-ordination component is to improve regional co-ordination and integration of Caribbean laboratories through the establishment of laboratory networks to facilitate sharing of expertise, services and information. Regional coordination and integration were strengthened through: The development of databases on aspects of laboratory information and services. These databases include data on

CAREC EU – Cytology

The training of cytoscreeners included inputs from the SMLS project for quality assurance practices and exposure to requirements of the ISO 15189 standard for medical laboratories. The methodology for the training was used successfully to produce cyto-screeners who are positively contributing to the cytology laboratories’ input to the implementation of the strategic plan for cervical

CAREC EU – BIPAC Public Documents

The formation of this professional group resulted from activities under the umbrella of the CAREC European Union funded project “Strengthening of Medical Laboratories in the Caribbean” (SMLS). It was inaugurated on the 23rd November 2005 in Guyana when a Draft Constitution and bylaws of the Association as well as an agenda for future activities were