About OLA
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Background,
Authority and Expertise
On September 15,
2000 the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care announced
that the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) would lead the development of
its Quality Management Program for laboratory services. This initiative is part
of Ontario medical laboratory reform, which is intended to improve access and provide the public
with assurance of the highest standards of laboratory service.
QMP–LS is operated
by the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), serving as a agent of the
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) to carry out a quality
management program for licensed medical laboratories in Ontario. The
applicable Ontario statute is The Laboratory and Specimen Collection
Centre Licensing Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.L.1, s. 14, and its Laboratories
Regulation 682, R.S.O. 1990, s. 14.
QMP–LS identifies,
designs and delivers external quality assessment (EQA), accreditation and
education services and related products that meet its regulatory mandate,
relevant international standards and client and stakeholder requirements.
QMP–LS has been issuing accreditation certificates since 2003.
Clients from other
jurisdictions in Canada or other countries may voluntarily apply for
accreditation and/or participate in EQA surveys.
Accreditation
processes are aligned with ISO 17011:2004 Conformity Assessment –
General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity
assessment bodies and International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC)
guidelines for assessor qualifications, training and competence.
EQA surveys are
conducted in accordance with ISO standards and ILAC guidelines for
competent proficiency testing schemes. For more information on EQA
surveys, see “Program Information” at http://www.qmpls.org/eqa/eqa.html.
Governance
QMP–LS is governed
in accordance with the terms and conditions of an agreement between the
MOHLTC and the OMA. During the term of the agreement, QMP–LS policies,
processes and procedures are developed with the advice of a stakeholder
Advisory Council, a Professional Advisory Committee and an Accreditation
Advisory Panel. Policies require the approval of the Conjoint Committee.
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