A First Accreditation for Québec’s Public Biomedical Laboratories
Québec– The 15 biomedical laboratories that make up the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) cluster have just obtained their ISO 15189 accreditation in recognition of the quality of their testing and the competence of their personnel.
This first accreditation for the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) medical laboratories was issued by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) on the recommendation of the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ).
At the request of the MSSS, Québec’s 12 clusters of biomedical laboratories, responsible for collecting and analyzing human samples required for diagnosing and monitoring a range of illnesses, must comply with ISO 15189, Medical laboratories – Requirements for quality and competence. As the name suggests, this standard involves developing a laboratory quality management system, demonstrating technical competency and various other aspects of laboratory operations.
The BNQ is responsible for assessing the laboratories while the SCC issues the accreditation that guarantees international recognition. Along with ISO 15189, the SCC accreditation program for medical testing laboratories includes elements of the ISO 22870 and CAN/CSA-Z902-15 standards, which contain requirements specific to point-of care testing (POCT) and blood banks.
Conformity assessments continue
Conformity assessments of the 15 laboratories in the MUHC’s clinical laboratory medicine department began in April 2019 and ended in September of the same year. Every laboratory was accredited, paving the way for the MUHC cluster’s recognition.
The BNQ is continuing assessments of the MSSS’s biomedical laboratories in order for other clusters to obtain their group accreditation to ISO 15189, ISO 22870 and CAN/CSA-Z902-15 standards, where applicable.
Quotes
“Accreditation not only provides assurance of the laboratories’ quality and competence, it also demonstrates the laboratory management’s commitment and willingness to continuously improving their processes.”
Jean Rousseau, BNQ Senior Director
“Standards, compliance assessments and accreditation play an essential role in improving public health. As Canada’s leading accreditation organization, SCC is pleased to have worked closely with the BNQ for nearly 30 years to facilitate alignment with national and international standards in this important area.”
Chantal Guay, Chief Executive Officer, SCC
About the BNQ
The Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ), a business unit of Investissement Québec, is the authority for standards and certification in Québec. It develops consensus-based standards and certification protocols in accordance with the rules of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The BNQ works in partnership with the Standards Council of Canada for laboratory assessments.
For more information on the BNQ, visit www.bnq.qc.ca
About SCC
The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is Canada’s voice on standards and accreditation on the national and international stage. SCC works closely with a vast network of partners to promote the development of effective and efficient standards that protect the health, safety and well-being of Canadians while helping businesses prosper. As Canada’s leading accreditation organization, SCC creates market confidence at home and abroad by ensuring that conformity assessment bodies meet the highest national and international standards.
Information:
Annie Morin
Communications Advisor
Bureau de normalisation du Québec
418 659-1550, ext. 2520
annie.morin@invest-quebec.com
Annie Roy
Director, Communications
Standards Council of Canada
613 238-3222, ext. 461
annie.roy@scc-ccn.ca