Both UNE-EN ISO 15189 standard requirements and the rigorous evaluation process force the organisation to establish clear criteria, based on objective information and available scientific evidence for all key processes, and to carry out an ongoing monitoring of those processes (e.g., systematic control of the quality of the samples, compliance with the analytical quality objectives for every test, criteria and monitoring for the reports’ content…)

The continuous control and monitoring of all processes reduces the risks derived from wrong results or information. Thus, the patient, as the main beneficiary of the use of accredited diagnostic services, receives high-quality healthcare services.

Accredited diagnostic services add economic value, as they contribute to a better use of human and material resources. The use of recognised technical and clinical protocols, the better training of personnel in the use of resources and the control and rationalisation of physical spaces lead to a reduction of unnecessary repetitions, errors in methods or incorrect actions. Likewise, the users of these services will have verified and independent information on the technical competence of laboratories, reducing the need for investing resources in carrying out evaluation activities.

For the medical laboratory, accreditation implies a formal and public recognition of its technical competence on a global scale. Moreover, both the requirements established by the standard and the accreditation process itself favour the implementation and maintenance of the laboratory’s continuous improvement systems.

The qualification, evaluation and continuous training processes carried out within the ISO 15189 standard to guarantee medical professionals’ competence leads to an increased level of safety for them. It also implies their commitment to comply with the requirements of clients (doctors and patients) and the organisation.

Accreditation provides the medical professionals and the organisations they belong to (hospitals, insurers, etc.) the security of being able to demonstrate that they have selected technically competent and reliable diagnostic services through accreditation, the only internationally accepted means.

Accreditation is recognised as the main tool to guarantee the reliability of the results issued by laboratories and other diagnostic services. Thus, any report issued within the scope of the international agreements signed by ENAC gain automatic international recognition.