The Quality Office

The National Microbiology Laboratory Quality Office provides support and advice related to Quality System requirements for all groups within the organization. The Quality Office began operation in February 2004. Since that time, it has strived to insure that the National Microbiology Laboratory adheres to the highest standards of quality. In its first year and a half of operation, the Quality Office achieved ISO/IEC 17025: 1999 (CAN-P-4D) accreditation for 8 tests within 7 lab areas.

A four day intensive accreditation visit, conducted by a Standards Council of Canada Lead Quality Auditor and two Technical Assessors with expertise in virology and bacteriology, took place in March 2005. Official accreditation was granted in October. The official scope can be viewed on the Standards Council of Canada website (http://palcan.scc.ca/specs/pdf/715_e.pdf) Currently, the NML is in the process of expanding the number of tests included when the Standards Council of Canada(SCC) performs its first re-assessment in the fall of 2006.

Survey Results, January 2009

PHAC's National Microbiology Laboratory strives for excellence in all areas, including research and development, and diagnostic/reference services for client laboratories.  In an effort to improve services, NML surveyed clients in the Summer/Fall of 2008 to obtain feedback on service quality in various areas where NML provides service to client laboratories.  Feedback obtained from the survey will help NML identify clients' needs and priorities, and will point out areas where service can be improved.

View Survey Results - 268 KB

Responsibilities of the Quality Office

The Quality Office has a number of responsibilities.

• Directing and coordinating the NML Quality Team
• Ensuring ISO based quality systems is understood and implemented
• Preparing and conducting the annual Management Review
• Coordinating internal and external assessments
• Organizing quality-related training
• Ensuring the performance of calibration services for various laboratory equipment
• Maintaining the NML supplier database.

Staff of the Quality Office

The Quality Office staff ensures that the highest standards of quality are adhered to throughout the National Microbiology Laboratory.

Director, Surveillance and Reference Services

The Director of Surveillance and Reference Services has overall responsibility for the NML Quality system and the achievement of the Quality System Elements. The Director communicates with NML Senior Management regarding the responsibilities of the Quality Office and the resources needed discharge those responsibilities..

Quality Manager

The Quality Manager reports to the Scientific Director General, National Microbiology Laboratory and the Director, Surveillance and Reference Services. The Quality Manager is responsible for establishing and maintaining the quality system. This includes:

• Auditing the Quality System
• Ensuring compliance with Quality System approved procedures and policies
• Training staff in Quality System elements
• Maintaining and tracking quality system documentation
• Developing quality procedures to facilitate a culture of continuous improvement
• Reviewing all quality documents to ensure compliance with CAN-P-4D (ISO/IEC 17025:1999) within the Labware Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Quality Module.

Calibration Technician

The Calibration Technician performs verifications, calibrations and maintenance on a variety of laboratory instrumentation for the NML. Additionally, the Calibration Technician provides advice, guidance and training to NML staff and/or external parties on these services.

NML Quality Team

Just as important is the NML Quality Team which consists of representatives from NML laboratory sections. The Quality Team meets once a month, or when special meetings are required. The team members who represent laboratory sections have a number of responsibilities.

• Representing their section at Quality Team meetings
• Coordinating and performing onsite quality audits
• Explaining and implementing quality system policies within their sections

For more information on the Quality Office; Address: Quality Office, 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, Canada R3E 3R2
Phone: (204) 789-2002
Fax: (204) 789-2097