Preventive maintenance and calibration: fundamentals of quality

The Mérieux Foundation submitted an extensive list of technical modules to the five laboratories participating in the in-service training for the SEALAB project. The laboratories rated the modules in terms of priority and selected those covering preventive maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment.

The maintenance of laboratory equipment are an integral part of quality assurance in the laboratory with equipment taking up a large part of the budget. Preventive maintenance is carried out on a regular basis to prevent equipment from breaking down helping to reduce costs.

The Institut Pasteur in Cambodia organized a one week TOT workshop in November 2021 for laboratory technicians in both human and animal health sectors that included academic and practical sessions.

After assessing the requirements of the laboratories the Mérieux Foundation purchased accredited equipment for calibration and organized a supplementary  two day training in each of the participating laboratory. The workshop focused on preventive maintenance and calibration of autoclaves, centrifuges, pipettes and microscopes.

Mr. Larama Lay, head of the accredited calibration unit at Institut Pasteur in Cambodia (IPC) and Mr. Vutha Teng, senior technician of the maintenance unit at IPC, delivered the two day training in each laboratory participating in the SEALAB project:

• Takeo hospital, November 29-30, 2022 (7 staff trained)
• Kampong Chhnang hospital, December 6-7, 2022 (8 staff trained)
• Kampong Cham hospital, December 13-14, 2022 (8 staff trained)
• Battambang hospital, November 15-16, 2022 (8 staff trained)
• Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak hospital,  December 20-21, 2022 (10 staff trained)

Laboratory technicians, responsible for quality in the provincial laboratories, were selected by the BMLS to participate in several onsite training to ensure integrating new knowledge, techniques and becoming referent persons for calibration and maintenance: Mr. Sao Sith and Mr. Sim Meas from Kossamak hospital and Mr. Roeut Pharith and Mr. Kry Visethka from Battambang hospital.

Laboratory technicians, responsible for quality in the provincial laboratories, were selected by the BMLS to participate in several onsite training. Mr. Sao Sith and Mr. Sim Meas from Kossamak hospital, and Mr. Roeut Pharith and Mr. Kry Visethka from Battambang hospital were trained as referents for calibration and maintenance.

The Mérieux Foundation presented this innovative training, which was specifically designed for medical laboratories, in collaboration with the IPC, because preventive maintenance and calibration are important aspects for testing accuracy.

It has been accepted that regularly scheduled inspections, cleaning, and calibration can identify and correct problems before they cause downtime or other issues. The benefits for medical laboratories for preventive maintenance include improved equipment reliability, reduced downtime and repair costs and improved safety and performance.