Which term describes the process to ensure accuracy and reliability in laboratory testing?

Which term describes the process to ensure accuracy and reliability in laboratory testing?

• A. Quality Control
• B. Quality Management
• C. Quality Assurance
• D. Quality Improvement

Answer: (A)

Maintaining accuracy and reliability of laboratory test results during every run is achieved through quality control. This involves the practical checks used in everyday testing—calibrating instruments, running control materials with each batch, and monitoring results against predefined limits to decide whether a run is acceptable. These controls detect analytical errors and prevent unreliable results from leaving the lab. Quality assurance, in contrast, covers the broader system of ensuring quality—method validation, proficiency testing, documentation, and overall processes that ensure tests are designed and performed correctly. Quality management is the umbrella framework that includes quality assurance, quality control, and continuous improvement, while quality improvement focuses on making changes to boost quality. So, the process described is quality control.

Maintaining accuracy and reliability of laboratory test results during every run is achieved through quality control. This involves the practical checks used in everyday testing—calibrating instruments, running control materials with each batch, and monitoring results against predefined limits to decide whether a run is acceptable. These controls detect analytical errors and prevent unreliable results from leaving the lab. Quality assurance, in contrast, covers the broader system of ensuring quality—method validation, proficiency testing, documentation, and overall processes that ensure tests are designed and performed correctly. Quality management is the umbrella framework that includes quality assurance, quality control, and continuous improvement, while quality improvement focuses on making changes to boost quality. So, the process described is quality control.