Medical Testing

Reliable test results are crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. The technical competence of a laboratory depends on a number of factors including equipment, sampling procedure and qualifications of chemists. Each aspect of them could affect the accuracy of test results.

Accreditation is the third-party recognition to affirm a medical laboratory’s competence to carry out specific testing services in accordance with international standards. In Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Accreditation Service of the Government provides accreditation to medical laboratories through the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS). It is a voluntary scheme open to participation from any medical laboratories.

The accreditation criteria of HOKLAS are in accordance with ISO 15189 "Medical laboratories - Requirements for quality and competence", which contains both management and technical requirements. For example, laboratories should set up an effective management system, follow strictly the procedures and document any instructions related to test operations.

To get accreditation, the testing service of a medical laboratory will need to be rigorously assessed by independent medical experts against international standards. After obtaining the accreditation, the laboratory will also need to undergo regular review to ensure its conforming to the professional technical standards. Quality of test results provided by accredited medical laboratories is thus assured.