Process control is an essential element of the quality management system and refers to control of the activities employed in the handling of samples and examination processes to ensure accurate and reliable testing.
Process control is the ability to monitor and adjust a process to give the desired output. It is used in industry to maintain quality and improve performance.
An example of a simple process control is keeping the temperature of a room at a constant temperature with a heating/cooling system and a thermostat. In the diagnostic laboratory, each stage of the process, from specimen collection to reporting of results, needs to be monitored, and corrective action must be taken whenever failure(s) occur. The goal is to eliminate failures at all points in the process. Numerous books and articles have been written about quality management and how to monitor the many steps in the diagnostic laboratory process.
