What is the primary goal of quality control in medical laboratories?

The primary goal of quality control in medical laboratories is to ensure the accuracy and reliability of test results. This is fundamental because the results of laboratory tests directly influence patient diagnosis, treatment decisions, and overall management of health conditions. Quality control processes encompass systematic monitoring of various aspects of laboratory operations, including the performance of analyzers, reagents, and personnel. By implementing robust quality control measures, laboratories can minimize errors, maintain consistency, and sustain the credibility of test results.

When test outcomes are accurate and reliable, it ultimately enhances patient care and safety. It also builds trust in laboratory services among healthcare providers and patients. While other aspects such as increasing test numbers, reducing workload, and managing operational costs are relevant to laboratory management, they do not supersede the critical necessity of producing dependable test results, which is the cornerstone of effective medical laboratory operations.