Free tool · for diagnostic labs & medical colleges
Are you NABL-ready?
Answer a short checklist about your histopathology lab and instantly see your accreditation-readiness score, where you stand area-by-area, and exactly which gaps to close. Then download a prioritised action plan.
Indicative self-assessment based on common ISO 15189 / NABL themes — not official NABL guidance or a guarantee of accreditation.
Quality system & documentation
Documented, controlled SOPs exist for every procedure — grossing, fixation, processing, embedding, microtomy, staining and reporting.
A quality manual and a document-control system (issue, review, retire) are in place.
Equipment, calibration & maintenance
All instruments have calibration records traceable to reference standards (e.g. thermometers, baths, microtome thickness).
Preventive maintenance is scheduled and logged for all critical equipment (AMC/CMC).
Each instrument has a unique ID and a usage / maintenance logbook.
Facility, safety & workflow
Grossing is performed at a ventilated / downdraft station with effective formalin-fume extraction.
The laboratory follows a one-directional workflow with wet/solvent areas separated from clean cutting and reporting areas.
Formalin/xylene handling, chemical & biomedical waste disposal, eyewash/spill kit and biosafety provisions are in place.
Sample identification & retention
Every specimen is uniquely identified and traceable end-to-end, from receipt to block, slide and report.
Blocks, slides and reports are retained for defined retention periods.
Quality control & turnaround
Internal quality control is run — e.g. known control sections / positive controls for special stains, and daily H&E checks.
The laboratory participates in an external quality assessment / proficiency-testing (EQA/PT) programme.
Turnaround time is monitored against a defined target.
Personnel & competency
A qualified pathologist authorises every report.
Technical staff have documented training and periodic competency assessment.
Reporting
Reports use a standardised format with an authorised signatory and a verification step.
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Early stage
Answer the checklist to see your gaps.
Get your prioritised action plan (PDF)