WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY QUALITY?

Keywords: Quality, analytical laboratory

• Quality is a degree or grade of excellence possessed by an item.
• Quality in the analytical laboratory is all about providing results which
• Meet the specific needs of the customers.
• Attract the confidence of the customers and all others who make use of the results.
• Represent value of money.

One can consider following factors to ensure a 'QUALITY RESULT'

• Precise knowledge of customer need; is it the total sugars content or the amount of Lactose present which is required?
• What level of uncertainty is acceptable?
• Correct sampling method; is the sample representative of the total material?
• Appropriate analytical method; has it been validated so that it can yield a result which meets the needs of the customers?
• Measurements properly recorded; is there any possibility of a mistake, or measurement being lost, or a sample being wrongly identified?
• Experimental procedure fully recorded; can someone repeat the work in the future?
• Report to the customer, is it understandable and does the report answer the customer's question?
• But quality can only be attained if the analysis is carried out within a laboratory in which there is overall quality management systems to ensure;
• Maintenance of equipment to specifications; when was your balance calibrated?
• Proper methodology for recording of results; no notes on the sleeve of lab-coats!
• Proper management of laboratory materials; how long has your Analytical reagent been in the stores?
• All the staff is competent to do the job in hand; how do you ensure staff keeps up to date in a fast-moving field?