Hong Kong Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences Quality Assurance Programme

A consortium of enthusiastic and energetic practicing medical laboratory professionals assembled in the late 1988 to study the feasibility of establishing a local quality assurance programme to promote the quality and standard of medical laboratory techniques, examine the comparability of analytical methodologies and help rectify technical problems among medical laboratories in Hong Kong. Upon completion of the research for nearly two years, HKIMLSQAP (formerly HKMTAQAP) was launched as the first ever run indigenous programme in Hong Kong in February 1990.

The following programmes are offered: Anatomical Pathology including General Staining Module and Immunohistochemistry Module, Cytopathology including Cytopathology Microscopy Module and Non-gynaecological Slide Preparation Module, Haematology and Serology, Clinical Chemistry which is jointly organized with Randox RIQAS, Interpretative Quality Assurance Programme in Cytopathology and Interpretative Quality Assurance Programme in Haematology which are jointly organised with Hong Kong College of Pathology. There are more than 60 medical laboratories from Hong Kong, Macau and vicinity joining these programmes.

HKIMLSQAP is the wholly owned subsidiary of HKIMLS (formerly HKMTA, founded in 1966). It is manned by the council which is composed of chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, vice-secretary, treasurer, quality manager, deputy quality manager, panel heads and deputy panel heads.

Each programme panel is made up of experienced professionals in the field. Members are recruited from eminent medical laboratory technologists, scientists and pathologists practicing in public and private sectors. The Panel Heads are given a high degree of freedom and autonomy to run the programmes. They are responsible for the administration, development, data processing, statistical analysis and generation of the survey reports. Distinguished professionals are also invited to give comments and advice to panels for improvement.

All appointments of Council and Panel members are under a non-remunerated and on voluntary basis. A part-time staff is employed to assist the operation in the rented office at Flat 1711, Floor 17, Block C, Bell House, 525-543 Nathan Road, Kowloon.