assessment of status and challenges of clinical chemistry automation utilization in public hospital laboratories of selected zones of oromia region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Clinical laboratory automation has been widely implemented in every modern laboratory with different automation level. Though automation has many advantages, still many challenges affect its utilization in clinical laboratories of developing countries which in turn limited the capacity of health institutions to deliver adequate health care. So identifying challenges relating to clinical chemistry automation utilization faced by laboratories is important to work on and resolve those obstacles. Objective: To assess status and challenges of clinical chemistry automation utilization in public hospital laboratories of selected zones of Oromia region, Ethiopia from January 28 to March 15, 2019. Method: This study was conducted in 15 public hospitals found in Southwest Shoa, Jimma, Ilubabor and Buno-Bedele zones. Cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative research approach was conducted from January 28 to March 15, 2019. A total of 68 key informants were included purposively for in-depth interview. In addition, 93 laboratory personnels who were working in the clinical chemistry section were included in the study. Data were collected by in-depth interview guides, questionnaires and checklists. The quantitative data were analyzed by simple descriptive statistics using SPSS version 23 whereas qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Results: In the assessed hospitals, almost all non-analytical activities of clinical chemistry tests were not automated. There were 14 different brands and models of clinical chemistry analyzers. More than two-thirds of analyzers found in the studied hospitals were out-ofservice during the study period. In other way, only 14 (15.1%) of the laboratory personnels had received user training of clinical chemistry analyzers. Majority of the laboratories were suffered from clinical chemistry reagents shortage. There were also inappropriate procurement process of the analyzers, misuse and underuse of clinical chemistry tests in the studied hospitals, which affect the clinical chemistry automation utilization. Conclusion and recommendations: Clinical chemistry automation was not utilized appropriately due to a series of barriers in the study areas. Barriers hindering automation utilization should be acted up on by the facilities and other stakeholders.