The relationship between internal quality assurance of malaria parasite testing and the quality of malaria slides at regional general hospital

Abstract

Background: Malaria Internal Quality Control (IQC) is a mandatory activity done by the malaria examining laboratory. It includes the entire steps of malaria examination from pre-analytical, analytic, and post-analytic in order to obtain good results of malaria microscopic examination in the form of qualified preparation. The study aimed to find out the correlation between internal quality control and malaria preparation quality at regional general hospital laboratory. Methods: This type of research is analytic observational with a cross-sectional study design. The samples in this research were selected using total sampling, with 7 laboratory officers interviewed and observed about pre-analytical to post-analytical processes. 23 positive preparations in 2021 were then subjected to macroscopic and microscopic observations and assessment of malaria preparation quality. Statistical analysis used the Pearson test processed using SPSS 25. Findings: The results showed that the percentage for the implementation of Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) was 86%, while the percentage of preparation quality was 82%. Based on the Pearson correlation test between IQA and the quality of malaria preparations, a p-value of 0.010 was obtained (p < 0.05), which means that there is a relationship between IQA and the quality of malaria preparations. Conclusion: The percentage of IQA implementation by laboratory staff at regional general hospital covering the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical stages was 86%. Meanwhile, the quality percentage of laboratory preparations based on components such as thick blood smears, thin blood smears, staining, and species accuracy was 82% out of the 23 slides present in the laboratory in 2021. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study presents new evidence regarding IQA for malaria parasite testing, specifically concerning the quality of malaria slide preparations at the hospital laboratory, to support disease control efforts and the malaria program.