Standards › Standard 33 › Policies
Policy · LBT-POL-001 · Version 1.0 · Approved by the ASF Expert Committee
Supports: 33.1
At a glance
- Every instrument and measuring device is calibrated or verified at the set interval against a traceable reference (LBT-REG-001).
- A device past its calibration date is withdrawn from patient testing.
- Calibration certificates name the traceable reference.
- Calibration status is checked before each run.
- Stop and get help straight away if: a device with an expired or failed calibration is used for patient results.
1. Purpose
To make sure every measuring device gives results that are accurate and traceable to a reference (33.1).
2. Scope
| Applies to | Clinical and support staff in the hospital |
| Locations | All wards, clinics and departments of the facility |
| When | Whenever the activity described is carried out |
| Does not apply to | Activities covered by another document listed in section 15 |
3. Definitions
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Clinical lead | The doctor or nurse in charge of the area at the time |
4. Background
An instrument that is out of calibration gives results that look normal and are wrong. Calibration kept current on every instrument that produces a reportable result is the basis of accurate results.
5. Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility | Competence |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratory director | Owns the calibration programme and its interval | Medical director |
| Laboratory technician | Checks status before each run and withdraws any failed device | Laboratory director |
6. Materials and equipment
| Item | Requirement | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Records and forms named in this document | Current version | Checked before use |
7. Safety
- Stop and call for help if a patient is at immediate risk. Do not delay urgent care to complete paperwork.
8. Before you start
- Confirm the forms and equipment named in this document are available and current.
9. Procedure
Step 1. Plan.
- Set the calibration interval for each device from the manufacturer and the risk.
Key point: Planned.
Step 2. Calibrate.
- Calibrate or verify each device against a traceable reference and record it (LBT-REG-001).
Key point: Calibrated.
Step 3. Withdraw.
- Withdraw any device that fails or is overdue, and record the withdrawal.
Key point: Withdrawn.
10. Decision points
- No decision points in this procedure.
11. Special situations
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Out of hours | Follow the same steps. Use the on-call contact on the wall of the area. |
12. Escalation
- Any serious problem goes to the duty clinical lead at once and to the clinical director the same day.
13. Monitoring
| Measure | Target | Frequency | Owner | If not met |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devices within calibration interval | 100% | Monthly | Laboratory director | Withdraw the device and escalate to the medical director |
14. Records
| Record | Kept in | Retention |
|---|---|---|
| Record named in this document | Patient record or the area file | the period set by the facility’s records policy years |
15. Training
- Staff are trained in this document at induction and refreshed each year, with a recorded competency check.
16. Related documents
| ID | Title | Use |
|---|---|---|
| LBT-REG-001 | Calibration and maintenance register | Register |
17. Evidence
| Reference | Note |
|---|---|
| E-009 | Based on ISO 15189:2022 Medical laboratories: requirements for quality and competence, ISO 9001:2015 for supplier control, and the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021–2030 for critical results. |
| E-006 | ASF Policy Framework v1.2. Adapted. |
| E-009 | ASF Expert Committee consensus. |
18. Change history
| Version | Date | What changed | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | the date of approval | First version | set Expert Committee approval |
E-learning for this document
References
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Policy Framework v1.2. (E-006)
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Expert Committee consensus on Standard 1. (E-009)