Non-conformities in tissue typing laboratory: Croatian experience.

OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to determine the frequency and type of non-conformities that occurred in the tissue typing laboratory (TTL), Rijeka, Croatia, in order to evaluate the quality of testing and compliance with the requirements of the quality management system (QMS). BACKGROUND: The QMS in a TTL should lead to improvements in the accuracy and timeliness of results. One of its essential elements is non-conformity management. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of non-conformities recorded in the TTL Rijeka from 2006 to 2017 revealed the overall frequency of 0·43%. Classification was performed according to the examination phase, employee characteristics, relation to the field of work, part of laboratory and priority of testing. RESULTS: The most reported non-conformities occurred during the examination phase (54·0%), followed by the pre- and post-examination phase (31·2 and 14·8%, respectively). Inadequate competency and less experience were associated with the number of reported non-conformities while no difference was observed in relation to the profession or position in the laboratory. Non-conformities were equally distributed between organ transplantation and HLA-associated disease diagnostic processes, mostly referring to the entire laboratory work. CONCLUSION: Intensifying training and education, implementation of information technology into laboratory processes, more rigorous error detection and reporting are fundamental steps in improving quality of laboratory services.

Attitudes towards e-learning amongst dental students at the universities in Croatia.

AIM: To develop and test the psychometric characteristics of a questionnaire that measures attitudes towards e-learning, as well as to study attitudes about e-learning and to identify variables related to those attitudes amongst dental students. SUBJECT AND METHODS: The study was conducted from November 2010 to December 2011 at all three Croatian dental schools. A questionnaire entitled 'Attitude Towards e-Learning' consisting of 12 questions about socio-demographic data and 22 statements about attitude towards e-learning was self-administered by 386 students. Factorial analysis and Cronbach's alpha were used to test the psychometric characteristics of the questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify variables related to attitudes towards e-learning. RESULTS: Factorial analysis confirmed two factors: positive attitude and negative attitude, which interpret 58% of the total variance and had good internal consistency of α = 0.852 and 0.668, respectively. The average score of positive attitude was 42 ± 6, indicating a highly positive attitude towards e-learning. The average score of negative attitude was 27 ± 6, indicating minor negative attitude. Higher age and study year, usage of the Internet in education, more frequent usage of Facebook and more attendance of e-courses demonstrated a significant influence on positive attitude towards e-learning (R(2)  = 0.304; P < 0.001). Lower year of study and less frequent attendance of e-courses had a significant influence on negative attitude (R(2)  = 0.268; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Dental students have generally positive attitudes towards e-learning. Teachers should adopt strategies to change negative attitudes by introducing more e-learning courses in lower study years and should encourage students to use the Internet in their education and communication with teachers and colleagues.