Abstract

SEGURA, Omar  and  VALERA, Danik. Evolution of colombian national laboratories network 2006-2008: biosafety and legal issues propelled changes in public health laboratories performance. Investig. andina [online]. 2009, vol.11, n.18, pp.56-67. ISSN 0124-8146.

Introduction: Colombia developed its law and health services on international counseling; public health laboratory (PHL) is an example. Evolution of national public health, specially during 2003 to 2007 paved the way for a PHL diagnostic and evaluation from the law and quality management. Methods: descriptive longitudinal study with independent surveys to the PHL based upon a proposal for an “Authorization System” and a modification and application of epidemiologic surveillance cycle to make information feedback and follow-up onto the PHL. Results: PHL coordinators participation was important during 2006 to 2008, up to 67%. PHL reached in 2008 64% in management and 77% in technical requirements; items with the most progress were Organization & Client service, Quality assurance and Biosafety. Conclusions: law was positively influential in the PHL performance; there are evidences of advances in quality with technical competence; their personnel, methods, processes and facilities do require technical assistance from central level. It is needed a prospective exercise for the future.

Keywords : public health; laboratory techniques and procedures; biosafety; quality management.

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