Research

Strengthening laboratories often requires substantial investments - and these investments should deliver measurable results.

Building the evidence base underlying laboratory strengthening

All DATOS experts have a scientific background and a strong commitment to research that supports evidence-based laboratory strengthening. Beyond implementing laboratory strengthening initiatives, we investigate their effectiveness: whether, and to what extent, they improve laboratory performance and contribute to achieving global health targets.

PhD thesis

On 9 October 2020, Dr. Tjeerd Datema was awarded his PhD for the successful defense of his thesis titled: Strengthening Health Laboratories in Low- and Middle-Income Countries through Implementation of a Quality Management System (ISBN 978-94-6416-022-2).

This thesis presents the results of 10 years of research on efficient methods to strengthen health laboratories using quality management systems based on international standards such as ISO 15189 (Medical laboratories – Requirements for quality and competence). It provides valuable insights into how structured quality management can drive laboratory improvement and support global health objectives.

If you would like a copy of Dr. Datema's thesis, please send him an email or connect with him on LinkedIn.

Recent publications

Below is a shortlist of recent publications authored by DATOS’ experts. For a complete list of our research contributions, please contact  us!

Access to diagnostics

1. Ondoa P, Oskam L, Massinga Loembe M, Okeke IN (2021) Transforming access to diagnostics: how to turn good intentions into action? The Lancet https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02182-6
2. Faber D, Oskam L, Ondoa P (2021) The challenge of determining a National List of Priority Diseases to develop diagnostic services. Lab Culture (26), 32-34.
   
   

Laboratory Quality Management systems and External Quality Assessment

1. Otieno Odhiambo C, van der Puije B, Maina M, Mekonen T, Diallo S, Datema T, Massinga Loembe M, Kebede Y, Ndlovu N, Ondoa P. Reviewing 7 years of implementing quality management systems in medical laboratories in sub-Saharan Africa. Trop Med Int Health. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/tmi.13839
2. Datema T.A.M., Oskam, L., Broerse J.E.W., Klatser P.R. Review of the Stepwise Laboratory Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) version 2:2015. Afr J Lab Med. 2020 9(1):a1068. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v9i1.1068
3. Carter J, Faber D, Datema T. External quality assesment programmes to improve testing for infectious diseases in Africa. Lab Culture. 2020. p. 27–39. https://aslm.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/LabCulture-issue-24.pdf?x13599
   
   

Scorecards

1. Trollip A, Gadde R, Datema T, Gatwechi K, Oskam L, Katz Z, Whitelaw A, Kinyanjui P, Njukeng P, Wendifraw DA, Mugerwa I, Najjuka G, Dayie N, Opintan JA, Albert H (2022) Implementation of a customised antimicrobial resistance laboratory scorecard in Cameroon, Ethiopia and Kenya. Afr J Lab Med 11(1):a1476 https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v11i1.1476
2. Ondoa P, Datema T, Keita-Sow M-S, Ndihokubwayo J-B, Isadore J, Oskam L, Nkengasong J, Lewis K, (2016). A new matrix for scoring the functionality of national laboratory networks in Africa: introducing the LABNET scorecard. Afr J Lab Med. 5(3), a498. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v5i3.498