We are delighted to announce that the opening session of Labquality Days 2026 will feature Professor Tomáš Zima, president-elect of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM).
As the congress begins, Prof. Zima will offer a welcome on behalf of the EFLM, setting the tone for two days of forward-looking discussion on quality, safety, and innovation in laboratory medicine.
Prof. Zima is a leading figure in European laboratory medicine, with an academic and clinical career spanning more than three decades.
He graduated from the First Faculty of Medicine at Charles University, Prague, in 1990, and has since served in prominent roles, including Dean of the same faculty (2005–2012) and Rector of Charles University (2014–2022).
He is currently Professor of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry and Head of the Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine.
His research focuses on oxidative stress, tumour markers, experimental nephrology, and laboratory management. Prof. Zima is the author of more than 550 scientific articles, 10 books, and over 80 book chapters.
He is an active member of numerous academic societies and scientific boards, including Academia Europaea, the Czech Medical Academy, and the IFCC Education and Management Division.
In addition to his welcome speech, Prof. Zima will be giving a lecture as part of the scientific program track Quality in Laboratory Medicine. With decades of leadership in laboratory medicine, Prof. Zima brings deep insight into the future of quality systems, accreditation, and risk management in healthcare laboratories.
In his lecture, Prof. Zima addresses the evolving priorities in laboratory medicine, emphasising that the ultimate goal of quality systems is improved patient safety. He will highlight:
How laboratory quality systems have evolved from IQA and EQA to full accreditation frameworks
Key changes in the latest ISO 15189 standard, including a shift toward risk-based thinking, POCT oversight, and a stronger connection to clinical care
The role of risk analysis and preventive actions in strengthening lab operations
Accreditation not as an end goal, but as a tool to support continuous improvement
Prof. Zima stresses that quality in healthcare is intrinsically linked to the excellence of services provided, in line with current scientific knowledge and technological advancement. He notes that while quality frameworks in laboratories date back decades, the new, fourth edition of ISO 15189 introduces important updates. These include a more flexible, risk-based approach that integrates ethical considerations and strengthens the link between laboratory operations and patient care. It also emphasises the importance of managing point-of-care testing (POCT) under laboratory oversight.
As the healthcare landscape becomes more complex, the demands on laboratory services continue to rise. Prof. Zima's insights are especially timely for laboratory professionals, quality managers, and clinical leaders navigating updates to ISO standards and seeking practical strategies to implement sustainable, patient-centred improvements.
Whether you’re seeking to deepen your understanding of accreditation systems or looking for tools to enhance risk management in your lab, this lecture offers both strategic guidance and practical takeaways.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of Europe’s leading voices in laboratory medicine! Register with the Super Early Bird rates before 30 November 2025.