The Role of Regulatory Assessments in Establishing Professional Ethics and Observing Fulfilment of Patients Rights in Medical Laboratories

Introduction: Implementation of the professional ethics and fulfilment of client rights in medical laboratories is one of the most important pillars in providing laboratory services. Adhering to ethical principles is in human nature; however determining ethical codes of conduct and overseeing its implementation would be quite beneficial in establishment of professional ethics in medical laboratories. Materials and Methods: Patient’s Bill of Rights in medical laboratory services was developed in 2011 and decreed by the health minister. In 2018 Code of Professional Conduct for Medical Professionals was developed and published by Medical Council of I.R.Iran. There are many clauses in professional conduct for medical professionals which directly or indirectly relate to the ethics in laboratory services. These two documents were made available to the laboratories and advocated by Reference Health Laboratories (RHL). By introducing new revision of the regulatory checklist, as of 2019, regulatory oversight of the medical laboratories throughout the country cover professional ethics and code of ethical conduct. Failure to comply with the ethical requirements addressed in this checklist would have consequences for the laboratories. Office of laboratory affairs in medical universities are required to follow up on these cases.Conclusion: Certainly, these measures will have an effective role in promoting and establishing professional ethics in medical laboratories. Other steps that should be taken include: - Designing and implementing training courses on communication skills for laboratory staff- Incorporation of medical ethics in academic curriculum for students in laboratory related programs- Raising public awareness and providing related stakeholders with appropriate information

Keywords:

professional ethics , Bill of Rights , medical diagnostic laboratories , evaluation