In a letter sent out to clients last week, Perry Johnson Laboratory Accreditation (PJLA) notified their partner labs that they will be conducting virtual assessments.
PJLA typically conducts assessments on-site. . However, given the current situation, with CDC recommendations for social distancing and mandatory stay-at-home orders in some states, the laboratory accreditation company is pivoting to virtual assessments to help their clients maintain accreditation.
Virtual assessments are not the norm, but they are allowed to offer them during crises where on-site assessments are not possible. PJLA is sending their clients virtual assessment surveys to check the viability of a remote assessment. That includes making sure there’s a video camera in the lab, capability to use remote meeting software, and capability for remote screen sharing during a quality review. Take a look at the letter PJLA sent their clients last week:
Dear PJLA Clients,
Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, business and the conduct of audits has changed dramatically. We at PJLA are doing all we can to maintain accreditation while keeping the health and safety of our auditors, our clients, and their families a priority.
To keep your accreditation valid, we have been able to implement Virtual auditing technology to do entire audits – or at least parts of audits – remotely, using virtual audit techniques. These types of audit are offered for crisis situations where we cannot perform routine on-site assessments (natural disasters, emergencies, travel restrictions).
Clients will be receiving a virtual assessment survey
- Allowing for virtual (i.e. cameras in the lab)
- Capability to use virtual systems
- Having equipment with cameras/remote screen sharing for quality review and laboratory operations
Upon review of the survey, organizations and assessors will be provided with the decision that the assessment can be conducted fully or partially remote. Following approval, assessors and clients will have a discussion to determine the planning of the virtual assessment.
We have a team dedicated to providing support, but we still ask for your patience during this time. It may take some time for everyone to become comfortable with the software. We will be reaching out to each client to hear about their experience to continually improve this process.
We thank you for participating in this new and exciting assessment option.
Respectfully,
Tracy Szerszen
President/Operations Manager
Perry Johnson Laboratory Accreditation, Inc.
755 West Big Beaver Road Suite 1325
Troy, MI 48084
Phone: (248) 519-2603
www. pjlabs.com
