What is the primary purpose of quality control in laboratory testing?

The primary purpose of quality control in laboratory testing is to ensure the accuracy and reliability of test results. Quality control involves systematic processes that monitor testing procedures and outcomes, enabling laboratories to identify errors, maintain precise measurements, and validate test performance. This is crucial for producing trustworthy results that healthcare providers can use for diagnosing and treating patients effectively.

Through quality control measures, laboratories can detect variations in test results that may arise from equipment malfunction, reagents failing, or sample collection errors. By actively managing these processes, labs work to uphold high standards of testing, fostering confidence in laboratory findings among healthcare professionals and patients alike.

While reducing the number of tests, speeding up procedures, and ensuring staff training are important aspects of a lab's operation, they do not represent the central aim of quality control, which is fundamentally focused on the integrity of test results. Ensuring test reliability is essential in helping clinicians make informed decisions and providing safe patient care.