Quality Assurance

QA is an ongoing process that requires daily attention by all laboratory staff. Some fundamental issues in QA related to specimens include;

1. Inspection of all specimens upon receipt and before testing to ensure that they are suitable, Lipaemic, haemolysed or contaminated samples should not be used as these may interfere with assay performance.
2. Patient information should be available on the tube
3. If the serum sample is frozen before testing, the sample must be well mixed after thawing and before testing.
4. All test results, controls and records must be checked and rechecked to ensure that the proper specimen was resulted before reporting.

QA also includes such factors as;

1. Reporting results in a timely manner
2. Being sure that the results are reported to the appropriate individual
3. Making sure that the laboratory is functioning in the most efficient way
4. Including a continuing education program for laboratory workers
5. Evaluation of laboratory personnel to identify areas for improvement
6. Using the most reliable tests
7. Reviewing transcriptional measures
8. Verifying final reports

The following sections indicate components that must be continually monitored and represent fundamental aspects of a good QA program