Implementation of a quality system in a clinical laboratory

The effects of a quality system are measured with the aid of quality indicators, which can be used for both decision-making by the management of the laboratory and for process control. The need for economic appraisal is stressed since the development of a quality system is very time- and labour-consuming. The aspects of both the customer and the personnel involved should be considered to evaluate the quality system. It is also important to define practical means to build up and maintain a quality system especially in smaller laboratories. For instance, simple tools to evaluate uncertainty of measurement and availability of inexpensive national reference materials are needed.