_Quality assurance in medical laboratories A guide.pdf

As much as 70% of all medical decisions are based on laboratory results, maintaining quality standards plays a major role in ensuring the accuracy of these results, providing better patient care, and promoting excellence. Read more!

1. Quality assurance in medical
laboratories: A guide

2. What is quality assurance in medical laboratories?
a. Quality assurance (QA) in medical laboratories refers to a comprehensive
program designed to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of
laboratory test results.
b. It encompasses all aspects of laboratory operations, from sample collection
and handling to the final reporting of results, ensuring that each step meets
established quality standards.

3. Why is it important?
a. As much as 70 percent of all medical decisions are based on laboratory
results.
b. Maintaining quality standards of the laboratory ensures accuracy of results,
providing better patient care as a whole, and promoting excellence.
c. While the absence of the same may lead to unreliable results, causing a delay
in treatment, misdiagnosis and an increase in cost due to a need for retesting.

4. Factors influencing lab tests :
Lab environment
Knowledgeable staff
Reagents and Equipment
Quality control
Communications
Process management
Occurrence management
Record keeping

5. Quality assurance essentials:
To ensure optimal performance and accurate test results QA should focus
on personnel management, equipment maintenance, and inventory control,
as well as rigorous process control and information management.

6. Thank You