Abstract

Compliance of private medical laboratories in the state with ethical and other professional standards as prescribed by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) was assessed by the researcher’s pre and posts the inspection by the MLSCN. Laboratory environment, personnel, equipment and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were used as indicators and results obtained were compared. 13/21 (62%) was found to have conformed to environmental specifications before the MLSCN’s inspection. This rose to 84 and 89% a month and 6 months post MLSCN inspection, respectively. 48% had right personnel before the Council’s inspection followed by 74% which dropped to 72% six months later. 15/21 (67%) laboratories had pre-requisite equipment in use before the council’s inspection and this rose to 84 and 89% a month and 6 months later, respectively. Adherence to SOPs was observed to have risen from 76% baseline to 95% a month after; the value dropped to 89% 6 months after the council’s inspection. Follow-up activities of volunteers from members of Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) were noted to have sustained the improved professional standards in private medical laboratories till 6 months after MLSCN inspection. It is recommended that competent volunteers be engaged by the MLSCN and other stake holders within and outside the country.

Key words: Assessment, ethics, medical laboratory, private, service, standard.