What is the primary goal of quality control in a laboratory?

The primary goal of quality control in a laboratory is to ensure accuracy and reliability of test results. This is essential because laboratory results have significant implications for patient diagnosis and treatment. Quality control processes include regular calibration of instruments, validation of methods, and the use of control samples to monitor the performance of assays. By maintaining stringent quality control measures, laboratories can confidently report results that are both precise and accurate, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and trust in laboratory services.

While speeding up the testing process, minimizing costs, or increasing the number of tests performed may be important operational goals for some laboratories, they do not encapsulate the core objective of quality control. The fundamental focus of quality control is to uphold the integrity and dependability of the test results, as any inaccuracies could lead to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment decisions.