District level external quality assurance (EQA) of malaria microscopy in Pakistan: pilot implementation and feasibility
Abstract Background Prompt, quality assured laboratory diagnosis is key to effective malaria case management and control, especially since the introduction of the more expensive artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). The malaria programme and its non-government partners, on the basis of WHO recommen...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:4fff81bdc5374b74829d889e48f5f04d 2023-05-15T15:15:21+02:00 District level external quality assurance (EQA) of malaria microscopy in Pakistan: pilot implementation and feasibility Khokar Nayyar Khan Muhammad Munir Muhammad Walley John D Tahir Zarfishan Nazir Athar Shams Nazia 2011-02-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-10-45 https://doaj.org/article/4fff81bdc5374b74829d889e48f5f04d EN eng BMC http://www.malariajournal.com/content/10/1/45 https://doaj.org/toc/1475-2875 doi:10.1186/1475-2875-10-45 1475-2875 https://doaj.org/article/4fff81bdc5374b74829d889e48f5f04d Malaria Journal, Vol 10, Iss 1, p 45 (2011) Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine RC955-962 Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 article 2011 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-10-45 2022-12-30T23:55:59Z Abstract Background Prompt, quality assured laboratory diagnosis is key to effective malaria case management and control, especially since the introduction of the more expensive artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). The malaria programme and its non-government partners, on the basis of WHO recommended Lot Quality Assurance methods, have developed a district level external quality assurance (EQA) system. This study was designed to assess the feasibility, under programme conditions, of an integrated district level external quality assurance and supervision approach for malaria microscopy. Design and Methods A prospective study conducted over seven months period (May-November 2007). In addition to the standard WHO EQA elements, three operational innovations were introduced, with the a district laboratory supervisor: a) onsite re-checking of slides, b) in ensuring uninterrupted availability of laboratory reagents and supplies at diagnostic centers, and c) supervision of administrative and technical components. The quantitative data for the study came from the service records/documents, whereas the qualitative data came from the key informant interviews. Results During the seven month period in four districts, a total of 8,118 slides were examined of which 209 (2.6%) were found positive for malaria parasites (slide positivity range between1.6% to 6.0%). The District Laboratory Supervisors in four districts reexamined a total of 1,770 slides (22%). The proportion of slides found discordant ranged from 0.5% to 1%. The quality of smear preparation was found acceptable in 73% slides. Conclusions A district-based EQA, based on lot quality assurance methods was implemented, using context-specific operational guidelines, tools and training modules, and other inputs from the malaria control programme and partners. This EQA and supervision approach was found to be feasible and acceptable to those involved. Further study is required on the microscopy quality and cost-effectiveness of adding external quality assurance and ... Article in Journal/Newspaper Arctic Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Arctic Malaria Journal 10 1 |
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Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine RC955-962 Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 |
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Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine RC955-962 Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 Khokar Nayyar Khan Muhammad Munir Muhammad Walley John D Tahir Zarfishan Nazir Athar Shams Nazia District level external quality assurance (EQA) of malaria microscopy in Pakistan: pilot implementation and feasibility |
topic_facet |
Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine RC955-962 Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 |
description |
Abstract Background Prompt, quality assured laboratory diagnosis is key to effective malaria case management and control, especially since the introduction of the more expensive artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). The malaria programme and its non-government partners, on the basis of WHO recommended Lot Quality Assurance methods, have developed a district level external quality assurance (EQA) system. This study was designed to assess the feasibility, under programme conditions, of an integrated district level external quality assurance and supervision approach for malaria microscopy. Design and Methods A prospective study conducted over seven months period (May-November 2007). In addition to the standard WHO EQA elements, three operational innovations were introduced, with the a district laboratory supervisor: a) onsite re-checking of slides, b) in ensuring uninterrupted availability of laboratory reagents and supplies at diagnostic centers, and c) supervision of administrative and technical components. The quantitative data for the study came from the service records/documents, whereas the qualitative data came from the key informant interviews. Results During the seven month period in four districts, a total of 8,118 slides were examined of which 209 (2.6%) were found positive for malaria parasites (slide positivity range between1.6% to 6.0%). The District Laboratory Supervisors in four districts reexamined a total of 1,770 slides (22%). The proportion of slides found discordant ranged from 0.5% to 1%. The quality of smear preparation was found acceptable in 73% slides. Conclusions A district-based EQA, based on lot quality assurance methods was implemented, using context-specific operational guidelines, tools and training modules, and other inputs from the malaria control programme and partners. This EQA and supervision approach was found to be feasible and acceptable to those involved. Further study is required on the microscopy quality and cost-effectiveness of adding external quality assurance and ... |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Khokar Nayyar Khan Muhammad Munir Muhammad Walley John D Tahir Zarfishan Nazir Athar Shams Nazia |
author_facet |
Khokar Nayyar Khan Muhammad Munir Muhammad Walley John D Tahir Zarfishan Nazir Athar Shams Nazia |
author_sort |
Khokar Nayyar |
title |
District level external quality assurance (EQA) of malaria microscopy in Pakistan: pilot implementation and feasibility |
title_short |
District level external quality assurance (EQA) of malaria microscopy in Pakistan: pilot implementation and feasibility |
title_full |
District level external quality assurance (EQA) of malaria microscopy in Pakistan: pilot implementation and feasibility |
title_fullStr |
District level external quality assurance (EQA) of malaria microscopy in Pakistan: pilot implementation and feasibility |
title_full_unstemmed |
District level external quality assurance (EQA) of malaria microscopy in Pakistan: pilot implementation and feasibility |
title_sort |
district level external quality assurance (eqa) of malaria microscopy in pakistan: pilot implementation and feasibility |
publisher |
BMC |
publishDate |
2011 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-10-45 https://doaj.org/article/4fff81bdc5374b74829d889e48f5f04d |
geographic |
Arctic |
geographic_facet |
Arctic |
genre |
Arctic |
genre_facet |
Arctic |
op_source |
Malaria Journal, Vol 10, Iss 1, p 45 (2011) |
op_relation |
http://www.malariajournal.com/content/10/1/45 https://doaj.org/toc/1475-2875 doi:10.1186/1475-2875-10-45 1475-2875 https://doaj.org/article/4fff81bdc5374b74829d889e48f5f04d |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-10-45 |
container_title |
Malaria Journal |
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10 |
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1 |
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1766345708745523200 |