Specialised toolkit: Laboratory services
The toolkit for outsourcing laboratory services
This specialised outsourcing toolkit will help with outsourcing logistics functions for laboratory services.
Download this specialised toolkit in the following languages:
In this toolkit, you will learn:
- How this toolkit can support outsourcing laboratory services
- Supply chain considerations for outsourcing laboratory services
- Laboratory practices and operating models that inform outsourcing
- Process Steps for outsourcing laboratory services
- Enabler Tools to support outsourcing laboratory services
Who is this toolkit for?
This toolkit forms part of the broader OSTK.
This toolkit applies the OSTK framework to the laboratory services setting and is intended as a resource for ministries of health or central laboratory departments considering outsourcing as an option for improved laboratory services. It is a repository of tools (such as models, guides, practices, and processes) to assist in decision-making and implementing outsourcing specific logistics functions for laboratory services. It does not seek to provide tools for sample testing within laboratories themselves. The toolkit is informed by supply chain case studies in Mozambique, Nigeria and Uganda.
The toolkit is designed for use by government departments and partners, for example:
- Ministry of Health senior management
- Ministry of Health chief of disease programmes
- Biomedical Laboratory Associations
- Central medical stores senior management
- National reference laboratories senior management
- Head of Logistics Agency
- Donors and Implementing Partners
Why develop a toolkit for laboratory services?
The toolkit focuses on the outsourcing of specific logistics functions along the laboratory services supply chain. The toolkit is a guide and reference document that supports users considering outsourcing specific activities and functions along the laboratory services supply chain. It provides steps, processes, practices, and tools to support ministries of health and other affiliated organisations as an easy-to-access and credible set of material. The toolkit identifies existing operating models and good practice case studies that can positively impact laboratory service provision to improve public health outcomes.
Considerations for this toolkit for outsourcing laboratory services
This toolkit adopts a diagnostic network optimisation approach to inform strategic outsourcing across functions of laboratory services. The Diagnostic Network Optimisation approach is the lens through which the laboratory equipment rental model and the hub and spoke model for the specimen referral network have been identified as potential areas for outsourcing. These are two examples of models; they are not exclusive. The toolkit presents case studies of varying degrees of outsourced specimen transportation from across Africa.
This toolkit will guide you through
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