An Investigation on Laboratory Quality System Related to The Return of Thai Labors During 2014-2016

Abstract

       During 2014 - 2016, a total of 124 Thai labors were reported to be returned from overseas due to discrepancies on health examination results, mainly for lung diseases and tuberculosis, between Thailand and overseas medical laboratories. This study was, therefore, to investigate on causes of return of Thai labors using laboratory quality system data obtained from quality assessments of 19 private hospitals where health examinations were done for 46 returned workers. According to the Requirements on laboratory certification of health examinations towards employment of Thailand oversea labors, 64 (41%) and 94 (59%) non-conforming items were found in related to quality management and technical requirements, respectively. Most of the non-conforming items were categorized in issues of technical procedures and analytical quality control. On the contrary, 12 government hospitals where 78 labors were examined are eligible to be exempted from the requirements for accreditation of the Requirements on laboratory certification of health examinations towards employment of Thailand oversea labors issued by Department of Medical Sciences. This study indicated that quality control system, including regularly usage of internal quality controls and participation in External Quality Assessment Schemes, is crucial for quality of laboratory results. Our study suggests that all government and private medical facilities are required to be conducted in compliance with the Requirements on laboratory certification of health examinations towards employment of Thailand oversea labors in order to lessen the number of the returned labors.