A Report on Participation in the 40th International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua) Conference

I had the privilege of attending the 40th International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua) Conference in Istanbul, Turkey, in September 2024. The theme was "Health for the People and Planet: Building Bridges for a Sustainable Future.”

My participation in the conference was made possible by the acceptance of a research abstract I co-authored with Dr. Adwoa Asante-Poku (Quality Manager, Bacteriology Department, NMIMR) on personnel competency assessment within the Bacteriology Department of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. This research was inspired by the Africa Institute of Healthcare Quality Safety and Accreditation (AfIHQSA) quality managers training I attended in October 2023. The training equipped me with essential skills in quality management, quality improvement research, data analysis, and change management.

At the ISQua conference, I presented the findings of the research in a poster presentation. The project aimed to increase the number of staff competency assessed in key laboratory processes, thereby improving the quality and efficiency of the services provided by the institute and to ensure alignment of the department and the institute to international standards for accreditation.

The conference offered a wealth of knowledge and networking opportunities. I learned about the best practices in quality management, patient safety, and data-driven improvement. I also had the chance to connect with experts from around the world and explore potential collaborations.

I am committed to applying the insights gained from the conference to further improve quality and safety within my department and the Institute.

Reported by Elizabeth Akyeama Antwi, Laboratory Technologist, Member of the Quality Management Team of Bacteriology Department, NMIMR