Quality assurance and quality control are two important concepts in manufacturing, engineering, and many other industries. While they are related, there is a distinct difference between the two.

Quality assurance (QA) is the process of ensuring that a product or service meets a certain level of quality. This involves creating and implementing processes and procedures that will prevent defects or issues from arising in the first place. Quality assurance is focused on preventing problems before they occur.

Quality control (QC), on the other hand, is the process of identifying defects or issues in a product or service after it has been produced. This involves inspecting and testing the product to ensure that it meets the required specifications. Quality control is focused on identifying and correcting problems after they have occurred.

Levey-Jenning Chart

The Levey-Jennings chart is a graphical tool used in laboratory quality control to monitor the performance of a particular test or assay over time. It is named after its inventors, William A. Levey and E. Quinn Jennings.

The chart is a simple line graph with time on the x-axis and the test results on the y-axis. The mean value is usually plotted as a horizontal line in the middle of the chart, and two additional lines, known as control limits, are drawn above and below the mean to indicate the acceptable range of results.

The control limits are typically set at three standard deviations from the mean, which means that 99.7% of the results should fall within the limits if the assay is performing correctly. As new data is collected over time, the results are plotted on the chart, and any data points that fall outside the control limits are flagged as potential errors or outliers.

The Levey-Jennings chart is widely used in clinical laboratories to monitor the quality of test results and to detect any shifts or trends in the data that may indicate a problem with the assay or the testing process. It is a valuable tool for maintaining the accuracy and reliability of laboratory test results over time.

MT 14 LEC – AA

What is the importance of material management in the laboratory and your life?

Material management is important in the laboratory as it involves the systematic planning, organizing, and controlling of the materials used in experiments, research, and analysis. Effective material management helps ensure that the laboratory has the necessary materials available when needed, reduces waste and cost, and improves the accuracy and reliability of experimental results.

In your daily life, material management is also important as it involves the proper planning and management of the resources and materials that you use regularly. This can help you save time and money, reduce waste, and ensure that you have the necessary materials on hand when you need them. For example, effective material management in your household can help you avoid running out of essential items such as food, toiletries, and cleaning supplies, and help you budget and plan for future expenses.

Standards are established guidelines or requirements that serve as a benchmark for quality, safety, or performance, while controls are the policies, procedures, and methods put in place to ensure compliance with those standards. Standards provide a framework for achieving desired outcomes, while controls ensure that the processes used to achieve those outcomes are consistent and effective.