Quality Control, Quality Assurance, and Proficiency Testing in the Andrology Laboratory

The primary goal of any andrology laboratory should be the performance of accurate, reproducible, high-quality, and clinically relevant laboratory testing. An underlining objective of such a goal is to better serve the ordering physician, and the patient, by continually improving laboratory performa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of andrology 2002-11, Vol.48 (6), p.417-431
Main Author: Keel, B. A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Andrology
Andrology Laboratory
Humans
Laboratories - standards
Male
Quality Control
Reproducibility of Results
Sperm Count
Sperm Motility
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Summary:The primary goal of any andrology laboratory should be the performance of accurate, reproducible, high-quality, and clinically relevant laboratory testing. An underlining objective of such a goal is to better serve the ordering physician, and the patient, by continually improving laboratory performance. Quality control (QC) is the procedure that determines accurate and reproducible testing. Proficiency testing (PT) is the process allowing physicians to compare results from one laboratory to another. Quality assurance (QA) is the mechanism ensuring high-quality, clinically relevant testing. Together, QC, QA, and PT serve as the foundation responsible for a program that continually improves the overall quality of the testing, allowing the physician ordering the test to be more effective in treating the patient. Several examples are presented to assist the implementation of effective QC and QA programs aimed at continually improving performance in the andrology laboratory.
ISSN:0955-3002
0148-5016
1362-3095
DOI:10.1080/01485010290099147