Programming of the laboratory at the primary level of health care
Somma Moreira, R.E.
Boletin de la Oficina Sanitaria Panamericana. Pan American Sanitary Bureau 98(2): 164-170
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-0632 PMID: 3156610 Document Number: 246281
A laboratory is part of a country's health care system. Whether a laboratory should be set up at the primary care level is an open question, but the health personnel at this level must have some knowledge and perform some laboratory-related functions. The planning and organization of a laboratory at the primary level must include the following stages: detection of the diseases prevalent in the area; a staff census; inventory of premises, instruments and furnishings; personnel training; establishment of the laboratory and specification of its functions; determination of the channels of communication to and from the central level; and supervision and evaluation. Some of these stages may proceed concurrently, but none must be omitted or their sequence altered.