The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, recently hosted a comprehensive Risk Management Training for laboratory professionals enrolled in the national accreditation programme.

This intensive training, delivered in partnership with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), is part of CIDRZ’s Transitioning and Integrating Laboratory Services (TRAILS) project efforts, which aim to build the capacity of laboratory personnel to effectively identify, assess, and manage operational risks within medical laboratories.

Participants were trained to comply with globally recognised standards, including ISO 15189:2022 for quality and competence and ISO 22367:2020, which provides guidance on implementing risk management in medical laboratories.

To enhance best practices in risk management in laboratories and associated organisations, participants were also trained in ISO 35001:2019 through practical, hands-on sessions using process flowcharts, brainstorming exercises, and fishbone diagrams.

These techniques will enable participants to analyse laboratory processes more thoroughly and develop mitigation strategies to enhance quality and biosafety.