MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE IN NIGERIA: NAVIGATINGMEDICOLEGAL AND ETHICAL DILEMMAS

Abstract

The practice of medical science in Nigeria is fraught with numerous medicolegal and ethical challenges that impact healthcare delivery and patients outcomes. The laboratory testing process, including the preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic phases, is an area where errors frequently occur. These errors may impair the diagnostic process and compromise patient safety. Delay in diagnosis and failure to diagnose are common reasons for a medico-legal action. The research methodology employed in writing this research is the doctrinal methodology. The primary and secondary sources were employed. This paper interrogated that the laboratory and hospital need to design systems that reduce the possibility of error and to rapidly identify and resolve the errors that do occur. Because the pre- and postanalytic processes extend into the clinical operations of the hospital, the laboratory can play an important role in promoting patient safety by assisting clinicians with test ordering, communicating test results appropriately, and aiding in the interpretation of results. The study recommended the development of comprehensive guidelines on medicolegal and ethical issues, regular training and education for medical practitioners advisory unit to provide support and guidance. It’s further recommended that there is a need for increased awareness and enforcement of patients’ rights and the adoption of electronic health records to improve documentation and reduce errors.