(Ine)quality in Healthcare: a perspective from the accreditation of clinical laboratories in Costa Rica / (Ine)quidades en la calidad de la atención sanitaria: perspectiva de la acreditación de laboratorios clínicos en Costa Rica

Abstract Introduction: Given the relevance of quality-assured laboratory services for health system strengthening and improvement, this study had the objective of exploring the distribution of ISO 15189-accredited and non-accredited laboratories in Costa Rica, in order to identify possible gaps in the fulfillment of its commitment to provide quality healthcare for all.Methods: Our research was conducted with a descriptive scope and following a quantitative approach. Costa Ricas Accreditation Body and College of Microbiologists databases were searched to collect data regarding clinical laboratory registration and ISO 15189 accreditation status. Laboratory availability indicators by geographical division were computed with this data.Results: Out of 480 clinical laboratories allowed to operate in Costa Rica as of January 2021, only 5 (about 1%) have been accredited in compliance with ISO 15189, all of which are private and located in the province of San José. Also, laboratory density (in terms of facilities per 100 km2 and per 100 000 population) is heterogeneous among provinces. Clinical laboratory services are more easily available in central provinces of the country (e.g. San José and Heredia), where ratios for laboratory density are higher. On the contrary, coastal provinces such as Limón and Puntarenas exhibit low laboratory density ratios, reflecting geographical disparities in access to healthcare.Conclusions: Geographic disparities in the access to clinical laboratory services were observed. This should raise awareness among public health authorities and private healthcare providers regarding the countrys progress in attaining its quality healthcare for all commitment.

Resumen Introducción: Dada la relevancia de asegurar la calidad en los servicios de laboratorio para el fortalecimiento de los sistemas de salud, este estudio tuvo como objetivo explorar la distribución de laboratorios acreditados con ISO 15189 en Costa Rica, buscando identificar posibles brechas en el cumplimiento del compromiso país de brindar atención sanitaria de calidad para todos. Metodología: Se realizó una investigación con alcance descriptivo, siguiendo un enfoque cuantitativo. Se exploraron las bases de datos del Ente Costarricense de Acreditación y del Colegio de Microbiólogos de Costa Rica para recopilar datos sobre el registro y estado de acreditación de laboratorios clínicos. Con estos datos, se calcularon indicadores de densidad de laboratorios por división geográfica. Resultados: De los 480 laboratorios clínicos autorizados para operar en Costa Rica a enero 2021, solo 5 (aproximadamente un 1%) están acreditados por ISO 15189; todos ellos son privados y se ubican en la provincia de San José. Además, hay heterogeneidad entre provincias en cuanto a la densidad de laboratorios (establecimientos por 100 km2 y por 100 000 habitantes). Los servicios de laboratorio clínico están más fácilmente disponibles en provincias "centrales" del país (como San José y Heredia). Por el contrario, provincias costeras como Limón y Puntarenas exhiben bajas densidades de laboratorios, lo que refleja desigualdades en el acceso a la atención en salud. Conclusiones: Se observaron disparidades geográficas en el acceso a los servicios de laboratorio clínico. Esto debería crear conciencia entre los proveedores de salud públicos y privados sobre el progreso del país en el cumplimiento de su compromiso de "atención sanitaria de calidad para todos".

Gestión de seguimiento a pacientes rurales con parasitosis intestinales: apoyo desde el laboratorio clínico / Follow-up management of rural patients with intestinal parasites: support from the clinical laboratory

Se realizó una investigación operativa, de alcance longitudinal, en el periodo comprendido entre abril y noviembre de 2019, con el objetivo determinar indicadores y propuestas de mejora para la gestión de seguimiento a pacientes rurales con parasitosis intestinales, diagnosticados en el laboratorio clínico del Centro de Salud Tipo C Quero (CSQ). El universo del estudio estuvo conformado por 15.842 usuarios potenciales del CSQ. El tipo de muestreo fue por conveniencia; la población consistió en 217 pacientes que acudieron al laboratorio institucional durante el periodo de estudio para realizarse el examen coproparasitario. La muestra estuvo conformada por 184 pacientes con diagnóstico de parasitosis intestinal. Para determinar la gestión de cuidados de los pacientes rurales diagnosticados con parasitosis intestinales, se tuvieron en cuenta 8 variables y 8 indicadores para el período de estudio, las cuales se obtuvieron mediante el seguimiento a los procesos del laboratorio clínico, una vez completado el periodo de la investigación. Un total de 217 pacientes del Centro de Salud Tipo C Quero acudieron al laboratorio institucional durante el periodo de estudio para realizarse el examen coproparasitario, de los cuales 169 (77,89%) mostraron un resultado positivo al examen directo, y 15 (6,91%) fueron diagnosticados mediante la técnica de sedimentación por centrifugación, para un total de 184 pacientes con parasitosis intestinales, es decir el 84,8% de la población de estudio, aiendo Endolimax nana, con 22,94% la especie más frecuente, seguida de Entamoeba coli con el 20,78%, Blastocystis spp. 16,06%. Del grupo de 184 pacientes con diagnóstico de parasitosis intestinal que conformaron la muestra del estudio, 31 y 8 (16,85 y 4,35%) mostraron resultado positivo para coparasitación con 2 y 3 especies diferentes, respectivamente. La implementación de indicadores de gestión de cuidados de los pacientes diagnosticados con parasitosis intestinales puede contribuir a la planeación de estrategias para la prevención e identificación factores de riesgo, en dicha población, así como dirigir campañas de educación sanitaria y promover la conciencia sobre la salud y la higiene como medidas que deben ser consideradas e implementadas para disminuir las prevalencias(AU)

An operative investigation, of longitudinal scope, was carried out in the period between April and November 2019, with the objective of determining indicators and improvement proposals for the follow-up management of rural patients with intestinal parasites, diagnosed in the clinical laboratory of the Center for Health Type C Quero (CSQ). The universe of the study was made up of 15,842 potential users of the CSQ. The type of sampling was for convenience; The population consisted of 217 patients who attended the institutional laboratory during the study period to undergo coproparasitic examination. The sample consisted of 184 patients diagnosed with intestinal parasitosis. To determine the care management of rural patients diagnosed with intestinal parasites, 8 variables and 8 indicators were taken into account for the study period, which were obtained by monitoring the clinical laboratory processes, once the period of study was completed. the investigation. A total of 217 patients from the Quero Type C Health Center attended the institutional laboratory during the study period to undergo coproparasitic examination, of which 169 (77.89%) showed a positive result on direct examination, and 15 (6. 91%) were diagnosed by the centrifugation sedimentation technique, for a total of 184 patients with intestinal parasites, that is, 84.8% of the study population. Being Endolimax nana, with 22.94% the most frequent species, followed by of Entamoeba coli with 20.78%, Blastocystis spp. 16.06%. Of the group of 184 patients diagnosed with intestinal parasitosis that made up the study sample, 31 and 8 (16.85 and 4.35%) showed positive results for co-parasitic infection with 2 and 3 different species, respectively. The implementation of care management indicators for patients diagnosed with intestinal parasites can contribute to the planning of strategies for the prevention and identification of risk factors in said population, as well as directing health education campaigns and promoting awareness about health and hygiene as measures that must be considered and implemented to reduce prevalence(AU)

An Assessment of the Accuracy of Creatinine Measurements in Guyana

ABSTRACT Background: The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is relatively high in Guyana. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reporting allows for early-stage CKD identification when therapeutic interventions can prevent CKD progression. Accurate creatinine measurements are essential for valid eGFR calculations. Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the accuracy of creatinine measurements in Guyana prior to implementing routine eGFR reporting. Methods: Sixteen Guyanese laboratories participated in this study. Each laboratory received a common set of blinded human serum samples (n = 3) containing clinically relevant creatinine concentrations, assigned by an international reference method (ID-GCMS). Laboratories performed repeated measurements of creatinine in each sample. These data were used to calculate bias, precision and total error (TE) for each creatinine method. Linear regression was used to compare measured creatinine results to assigned reference sample values and to post-analytically correct calibration bias, a priori, for recent patient results from each laboratory. Patient eGFR profiles were compared before and after bias correction. Results: The mean across samples CV and bias for all labs were 9% (range 2.5%-39.3%) and 11% positive (range 0.4%-29.1%), respectively. The mean TE was 28.6%. If the mean TE from a subset of the better performing laboratories (CV < 7%) was to apply nationally, an 'all stage' eGFR misclassification rate of 36% would result. Conclusion: There is a pressing need to improve the accuracy of creatinine measurements in Guyana as, at this time, routine reporting of eGFR by Guyanese laboratories cannot be recommended based on the accuracy data presented in this study.