Life-saving procedures like blood transfusion demand precision and care at every stage. From the moment blood is drawn safely and without contamination (a process known as phlebotomy), to proper labelling and storage of samples, cross-matching donor and recipient blood, and using verified haematology technology to detect potential errors — each step is critical. A mistake at any point could have serious consequences.
As explained by Ms. Millicent Ogutu, a Quality Assurance and Control expert from the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), maintaining strict quality control throughout these processes is essential. “A lapse in quality can lead to delayed diagnoses, transfusion reactions, or even life-threatening infections,” she emphasized.
Ms. Ogutu served as the lead trainer during a three-day workshop on advanced haematology, blood transfusion, and phlebotomy held at JKUAT from 19th to 21st May 2025. The training brought together students and professionals from institutions across Kenya to strengthen skills and promote safer, more accurate medical lab practices.
Through hands-on sessions, students deepened their understanding of best practices, including interpreting complex lab results, identifying potential sources of error, and applying quality control measures in real-world scenarios.
Quality control also entails that laboratory technicians operate within accredited facilities, ensure the timely and accurate use of blood units, monitor transfusion reactions, and maintain traceability from donor to recipient — especially during critical situations such as surgeries, childbirth, or accidents.
However, not all blood samples are suitable for use.
“Some samples must be rejected due to issues like incorrect volume, signs of infection, or high-risk donor behavior such as having multiple sexual partners,” explained Ms. Millicent Ogutu.
In addition, to confirm the reliability of lab processes, external quality assurance is key — results should match when samples are tested in a different accredited lab.
The training running under a slogan Precision and Accuracy in the Lab, was the third in a bi-annual series of short courses organized by the MLS department, acknowledging the importance of continuous professional development in medical sciences.
According to Dr. Amos Mbugua, Chair of the MLS department, the training is designed to go beyond theoretical demonstration and aligns with Kenya’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework, which emphasizes practical skills and diagnostic accuracy to improve healthcare outcomes.
During the certificate award session, participants expressed their appreciation, noting that the deep dive into advanced techniques served as a valuable refresher and would boost their effectiveness in clinical settings.
