Kathmandu, May 28 A workshop on quality competency in medical laboratories was organised in the capital today. The workshop was organised to impart knowledge on ways to lessen the mistakes made during laboratory tests. Speakers presented their papers on ways to improve quality in laboratories. Nine speakers from Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia and Nepal presented their papers during the workshop. The speakers presented their papers on topics such as internal and external quality control, developing a quality system, finding your place on the quality ladder and local systems of quality control, among others, during the event. “The quality of laboratories must be maintained as laboratory tests are the most important element for proper diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of diseases,” said Dr Binod Kumar Yadav, Head of Department at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Laboratory results can be different due to temperature, equipment used in laboratory and late transportation. “This is the main reason why the workshop has been organised to share information about problems in laboratories and also to discuss about the methods used in laboratories to reduce errors,” Dr Yadav added.