The Analiza laboratory at Viamed Santa Elena Hospital has received accreditation in accordance with standard UNE-EN ISO 15189, which is essential when it comes to ensuring that clinical decisions are made on the basis of reliable results, minimising risks to patient safety, and increasing diagnostic quality.

In the 2021 financial year, more than 600,000 urgent analytical assessments were carried out at Viamed Santa Elena Hospital’s laboratory. Tests are conducted in compliance with the highest quality standards, as the UNE-EN ISO 15189 accreditation recently received by the laboratory demonstrates.

ISO quality standards are awarded by an external body that determines whether working methods comply with a series of requirements, and ensures that the activity is conducted in accordance with quality standards. More specifically, accreditation under UNE-EN ISO 15189 is the internationally recognised tool that allows diagnostic services to demonstrate their quality. It certifies that the laboratory has a quality management system that guarantees its technical competence.

The Analiza laboratory at Viamed Santa Elena Hospital has obtained the UNE-EN ISO 15189 accreditation with a wide range of general biochemical tests, dialysis, preoperative phase, hospitalisation and emergency requests. This standard has assessed competency both at management and technical levels, in the pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phases.

The accreditation process requires a thorough review of all the laboratory’s protocols, from sample collection to issuing results, and ensures the suitability of the processes and, therefore, the analytical quality of the results obtained. It allows strengths, but also weaknesses, to be discovered, thus revealing areas that can be improved until excellence is achieved.

This accreditation guarantees the highest levels of quality and trustworthiness

Achieving this accreditation involves staff being fully dedicated, and requires the system to be kept up to date and reviewed on a daily basis. This accreditation fully assures healthcare professionals that the results have been obtained in a laboratory with competent staff who use technically validated and controlled methods and procedures, with appropriate equipment and facilities.
 

Dr. Miguel Ortegón, manager of Viamed Santa Elena Hospital, affirms that this accreditation recognises the good work of the centre’s care, administrative and laboratory support staff, as well as the significant support received by Analiza, a strategic partner of the Hospital. This accreditation is a further example of the shared commitment to continuous improvement and focus on patient services.

The laboratory also offers advice regarding choosing tests and/or interpreting test results. 

Dr Beatriz Arenaz, technical director of the laboratory, states that achieving this accreditation is recognition of the good work, dedication and professionalism demonstrated at the hospital over the years. This achievement is especially noteworthy thanks to the work of the whole team in a situation of great personal and personal commitment during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.