Which activity is foundational to a quality system in MLS laboratories?

• A. Billing and administrative tasks.
• B. QA/QC, process control, documentation, and continual improvement.
• C. Equipment purchasing only.
• D. Public relations and marketing.

Answer: (B)

Quality in MLS laboratories hinges on building a quality management framework around QA/QC, process control, documentation, and continual improvement. QA/QC provides ongoing assessment of test performance and result accuracy, helping detect trends, biases, or outliers so outcomes stay within defined specifications. Process control standardizes how work is done, with clear steps and acceptance criteria so every run follows the same method, reducing variation. Documentation creates a complete, traceable record of procedures, approvals, deviations, and results, which supports accountability, training, and regulatory compliance. Continual improvement uses data from audits, proficiency testing, and performance metrics to refine procedures, equipment, and processes, closing the loop on quality issues. Together, these elements establish the foundation for reliable, reproducible laboratory results. Administrative tasks, equipment purchasing, and public relations are important for operations, but they do not establish the quality system itself.