Is this checklist specific to dialysis lab parameters?

Yes. While it covers general lab quality principles, it specifically addresses dialysis-critical parameters: hemoglobin, Kt/V (pre/post urea), albumin, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, PTH, and ferritin — with parameter-specific QC and collection protocols.

Does this replace NABL's official assessment criteria?

No. This is a self-assessment tool to help you prepare for NABL assessment. The official criteria are in NABL 112 and the ISO 15189:2022 standard. This checklist helps you identify gaps before the formal assessment.

What about point-of-care testing (POCT) in dialysis?

The checklist includes a POCT section covering glucometer QC, ACT (activated clotting time) monitoring, and i-STAT/blood gas analyzer quality — common POCT devices used in dialysis centers.

Back

PDF Checklist

NABL Lab Quality Checklist for Dialysis Centers

Quality management checklist for in-house dialysis laboratories based on ISO 15189:2022 and NABL 112 criteria. Covers pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases for key dialysis parameters including Kt/V, hemoglobin, albumin, and phosphorus.

What's Inside

Pre-Analytical Phase

12 items

Sample collection protocols, patient identification, sample transport conditions, and rejection criteria for dialysis-specific specimens.

Analytical Phase — Internal QC

15 items

Daily QC procedures, Levey-Jennings charting, Westgard rules application, and corrective action documentation for hematology and biochemistry analyzers.

Analytical Phase — External QA

8 items

External Quality Assurance Scheme (EQAS) participation, proficiency testing schedules, and outlier investigation protocols.

Post-Analytical Phase

10 items

Result validation rules, critical value reporting protocols, turnaround time monitoring, and amended result procedures.

Equipment & Calibration

11 items

Analyzer maintenance schedules, calibration verification, pipette calibration, thermometer certification, and reagent lot verification.

Documentation & Records

9 items

Quality manual structure, SOP indexing, document control, record retention per NABL requirements, and management review minutes.

Preview

Key Quality Items (Sample)

Two levels of internal QC run before patient samples each day (Level 1 normal, Level 2 abnormal) for hemoglobin, creatinine, albumin, and phosphorus
Westgard multi-rule QC applied: 1-2s warning, 1-3s rejection, 2-2s rejection, R-4s rejection, 4-1s rejection, 10x trend rejection
Critical values reported within 15 minutes: hemoglobin <7 g/dL, potassium >6.0 mEq/L, calcium <7.0 mg/dL, with documented acknowledgment
Kt/V samples collected at correct time points (pre-dialysis: before heparin; post-dialysis: slow blood flow, 30-60 sec after UF stopped) per KDOQI guidelines
EQAS participation in at least one NABL-recognized program per discipline (hematology, biochemistry) with minimum 3 cycles per year
Turnaround time audited monthly: routine results within 4 hours, critical results within 1 hour from sample receipt
Reagent lot-to-lot verification performed when new lot introduced (minimum 5 patient samples tested on both lots, correlation ≥0.95)

Measurable Impact

Quality checkpoints covered

ISO 15189

2022 edition aligned

4 hrs

Target TAT for routine results

EQAS cycles per year minimum

Based on Published Standards

ISO 15189:2022 — Medical Laboratories — Requirements for Quality and Competence

NABL 112: Specific Criteria for Accreditation of Medical Laboratories

NABL 142: Guidelines for External Quality Assessment Scheme

KDOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hemodialysis Adequacy (2015 Update)

CLSI GP41: Procedures for the Collection of Diagnostic Blood Specimens

Automate This with ZuvFlo

Dialysis Module

Get Instant Access

Fill in your details to receive the pdf checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

NABH Compliance Checklist for Dialysis Centers

A comprehensive checklist aligned to NABH 5th Edition standards specifically adapted for dialysis centers. Covers all 10 NABH chapters with dialysis-specific compliance requirements, documentation templates, and audit-ready evidence lists.

Learn more

Lab Quality Control Checklist for Dialysis Parameters

Quality control checklist specifically for laboratory parameters critical to dialysis patient management. Covers hemoglobin, Kt/V, serum albumin, calcium-phosphorus product, PTH, and ferritin — with QC protocols, reference ranges per KDOQI, and corrective action procedures.