Documents and records

Documents include policies, procedures, and work instructions for all aspects of the testing service and its QMS.

These documents should be approved before use, reviewed and revised regularly, and removed from circulation when obsolete. National reference laboratories, in collaboration with national programs and the support QA officer(s), should assist testing sites in developing site-specific SOPs and job aids for testing providers. 

Records are generated from all activities, information, or results from performing testing. Records must be secured, maintained, and readily retrievable for use when needed.  

Archiving duration is specific to each document and each record. It should be decided at the central level and each testing site should have the necessary information to organize the archiving system. 

QMS Document and records required at testing site level

The following documents and records – which should be adapted to local requirements – should be implemented and used at the testing sites to ensure the management of testing sites' data and information: 

Document / record name

Purpose

Person in charge, where and minimum frequencies

 

1. SOP

Describe the testing procedures to be performed step by step

To review once a year by the QA officer/site supervisor to ensure alignment with procedures used. 

2. Job aids

  

A visual short version of the SOPs  

To review once a year by the QA officer/site supervisor to ensure alignment with procedures used. 

3. Testing registers/ logbooks 

Collect routine testing data which are going to be used for different purposes. 

Testing sites should ensure the confidentiality of the client's information.

In the testing site: 

  • Data collection by the testing provider: daily  
  • Data review by the testing site supervisor/QA officer: monthly 
  • During supervision visit: Semester 

4. Test request, result forms

To implement a standardized form to order tests and provide result  

In the testing site: should be filled by the testing provider and person in charge of consultation.  

5. Data reporting and analysis forms 

Summarize key performance indicators to be reviewed, analyzed, and use to drive quality of testing improvement and transfer to management line 

In the testing site: 

  • by person in charge: monthly.
  • During supervision visit: yearly by QA officer.
  • Region/District: by QA  officer: trimester.
  • National level: once a year.

6. EQC form

 

To record the EQC events results and any corrective actions 

In the testing site: 

  • by person in charge: during QC/EQA event 
  • During supervision visit: yearly by the QA officer

7. Non-conformances and complaint records with action taken

To record and review any non-conformance occurrence and the action taken 

In the testing site: 

  • when non-conformity occurs
  • During supervision visit: by QA officer

8. Stock management records: stock cards, inventory forms, temperature monitoring log 

To continuously monitor the availability of all necessary commodities and storage conditions.  

To calculate monthly consumption and ordering planning.

In the testing site: 

  • by the tester: fill the stock cards when new kits are in use 
  • In the testing sites, the stock manager does the inventory and fills out inventory form monthly 
  • The tester calculates the monthly consumption 

9. PMS testing provider feedback forms

To record and report any concern with quality and/or safety of an IVDs (RDTs). 

To be filled by the testing provider with the support of the site supervisor and to send to the manufacturer when concerns occur 

10. Staff training record

To record training received and “authorization to perform testing” documents. 

In the testing site, the person in charge 

11. Supervision visit report

To record and review supervision visit report to ensure ongoing monitoring of the testing site performance. 

During supervision visit: QA officer provides the visit report and refers to it the following visit 

12. Patient referral forms

  
To refer client for treatment, prevention services or further evaluation. The testing provider or CHW after testing according to the national referral process and in collaboration with other responsible people