CAP Pro Course - Laboratory Management - Development and Implementation of a Quality Management System

(based on 181 customer ratings)

Author: Julie Ann West, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, SM(ASCP)CM
Reviewer: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, PBTCM

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Identify the essential components of a laboratory quality management system.
  • Assess preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic processes through monitoring of quality indicators.
  • Incorporate patient safety goals into the quality management system.
  • Determine the effectiveness of the quality management system.

Course Outline

  • Identify the essential components of a laboratory quality management system.
      • The Laboratory Quality Management System (QMS)
      • Documents Included in a QMS
      • Quality Policy and Quality Manual Components
      • Additional Components of the QMS
      • QMS: Ensuring a Competent Staff
      • Continual Improvement (CI) Requires Teamwork
      • Summary of QMS Processes and Controls
      • A QMS may include which of the following document types?
      • A QMS consists of many elements, but which is considered essential?
      • Which of the following job titles represents an important role in the continuous improvement (CI) aspect and administration of the QMS?
      • Which of the following would not be a task of a newly-appointed quality manager responsible for the laboratory's QMS?
      • As a laboratory supervisor, you must abide by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). What is the proper time interval at which you mus...
  • Assess preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical processes through monitoring of quality indicators.
      • Defining Quality Indicators
      • Key Indicators of Quality
      • Key Indicators of Quality, continued
      • Periodic Review of the QMS
      • Which of the following is an essential element of a QMS that deals with process improvement?
      • Review the accompanying graph. What is true concerning this key indicator?
      • Which of the following is an example of a key indicator of laboratory quality recommended by the College of American Pathologists?
  • Incorporate patient safety goals into the quality management system.
      • Patient Safety
      • Monitoring Patient Safety In the Laboratory's Path of Workflow
      • Patient Safety: Reducing Harmful Delays
      • Which of the following is an error that can occur during the postanalytical phase of testing?
      • Which of the following is an accurate definition of a sentinel event?
  • Determine the effectiveness of the quality management system.
      • Evaluation of the Quality Management System (QMS)
      • Corrective Action and Preventive Action (CAPA)
      • Which of the following is true with regard to the difference between a corrective action and a preventive action?
      • Which of the following must be included in a QMS?
      • Which of the following will not assess accountability and quality of a laboratory system?
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for MLS, MT, and MLT personnel, medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author:  Dr. Julie Ann West is certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) and as a Specialist in Microbiology (SM). In addition, Dr. West has earned a PhD in Public Health - Infectious Disease Epidemiology - and is Certified in Public Health (CPH) by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Dr. West is experienced as a Technical Specialist, Safety Officer, Educator, and Lead in the Veterans Administration Healthcare System, and has prior experience as an Administrative Laboratory Director.
Reviewer Information: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, PBTCM, has over 20 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist, section supervisor, and laboratory manager. He is the former Director of Clinical Laboratory Technology Program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. He is currently a Program Director at MediaLab, Inc. Alex holds BS degrees in Biology and Medical Technology from Clark Atlanta University and an MBA from the University of Georgia.