Quality Assurance for clinical Laboratory
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
جامعة الشيخ عبدالله البدري
Abstract
The general concept of quality means the measure of excellence or state of being free from defect,
deficiencies, and significant variations. However, there are many definitions of quality which
include "the totality of features and characteristics of a product or service that bears on into ability
to meet a stated or implied need", fitness for use and conformance to requirement, indicated that
satisfying the customers' needs and expectations are the main factors in all these definitions (1).
Quality control (Q.C) is one component of the total quality management system which has been
defined as all systematic actions necessary to provide adequate confidence to the laboratory
services which satisfy given medical needs for patient care. By applying Q. C techniques in a
laboratory one can minimize errors (2). Quality Assurance (Q.A) is defined as all those planned or
systematic actions necessary to provide adequate confidence that a product or service will satisfy
defined needs (3). Q.A has been summarized as the right result, at the right time, on the right
specimen from the right patient, it involves all measures that can be taken to improve the efficiency
and effectiveness of the laboratory and thus enhance the trust in the laboratory results (2).
Laboratory medicine has a strong impact in the prevention of risk to the patient and laboratories
must implement procedures to minimize further risks of errors. Quality Assurance Programs
(QAPs) represent an important tool that allows us to identify errors and pinpoint any need for
further systematic investigations, (4).
The use of QAPs drives the search for solutions to deficiencies and requires the implementation
of corrective action for quality improvement. Likewise, the professionals involved have to assume
an implicit concern and accountability for quality, and they must also be able to make changes
whenever necessary