Ensuring Reliable Results: A Training Course in Laboratory Quality Control (Online / Remote)
1Summary
A single unreliable test result can trigger a recall, invalidate months of research, or put patient safety at risk — which is exactly why laboratories are judged not by how busy they are, but by how much their numbers can be trusted. Meeting that bar takes more than good instruments; it takes a disciplined quality system that every technician and manager understands and follows.
This training course walks participants through the full quality control picture inside a modern laboratory: from calibration and measurement uncertainty to internal audits, risk management, and alignment with ISO/IEC 17025. Rather than treating quality as a compliance checkbox, the course shows how these practices work together day to day to keep results accurate, traceable, and defensible — in healthcare, industry, or environmental testing alike.
2Objectives and target group
Target Audience
- Laboratory managers and technical supervisors.
- Quality assurance and quality control officers.
- Scientific analysts and laboratory technicians.
- Professionals seeking ISO/IEC 17025 compliance knowledge.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Apply core quality control systems tailored to laboratory operations.
- Identify and manage the factors that affect accuracy and data integrity.
- Monitor laboratory performance using recognised quality indicators.
- Align laboratory practices with international standards and guidelines.
- Strengthen internal processes to prevent errors and ensure consistency.
3Course Content
Module 1: When Lab Results Can't Be Trusted
- Defining accuracy and precision in practical laboratory terms, and why the distinction matters for decision-makers.
- Tools for measuring repeatability, reproducibility, and the significance of statistical variability.
- Understanding the components of measurement uncertainty and how to estimate and document it.
- Linking test results to international standards through metrological traceability and a documented chain of calibration.
- Recognising and managing uncertainty sources in everyday, routine analysis.
Module 2: Calibration, Equipment and Control Materials
- Purpose and frequency of equipment calibration, and the use of certified reference materials.
- Selecting control materials and applying blanks to monitor quality through sample comparison.
- Installation, Operational and Performance Qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) for laboratory equipment.
- Routine servicing, verification checklists, and the impact of neglected maintenance.
- Identifying common equipment failures, reporting non-conformities, and documenting corrective actions.
Module 3: Validating and Verifying Test Methods
- Criteria for validating analytical methods: linearity, specificity, robustness, and common pitfalls.
- The difference between method validation and verification, and adapting published methods for in-house use.
- Conducting internal cross-checks and taking part in external proficiency testing and inter-laboratory benchmarking.
Module 4: Using Data to Catch Problems Early
- Statistical basics for laboratory staff: mean, standard deviation, variance, and normal distribution.
- Introducing Shewhart control charts to monitor trends, shifts, and warning signals in data.
- Defining key performance indicators (KPIs) and linking them to laboratory objectives for continuous tracking.
Module 5: Auditing the Laboratory
- Why regular internal audits matter, and how to schedule and prepare for them.
- Building effective, tailored audit checklists and scoring systems.
- Classifying audit findings by severity, tracing root causes, and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
Module 6: Managing Risk Before It Becomes an Error
- Sources of analytical and procedural risk, including human error and environmental factors.
- Using risk matrices and scoring systems to prioritise corrective action.
- Strategies for error prevention, building redundancy into QC checks, and encouraging a culture of vigilance.
Module 7: Documentation, Governance and Communication
- The role of laboratory management in QC oversight and allocating responsibilities across departments.
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), quality manuals, and record-keeping practices that support traceability.
- Communicating QC findings clearly, reporting non-conformance, and coordinating between quality staff and technical teams.
Module 8: Quality Fundamentals and Why They Matter
- Why accurate test results matter in critical sectors, and the ethical implications of laboratory errors.
- The distinction between quality assurance and quality control, and how QC relates to overall lab performance.
- How laboratory quality frameworks originated and evolved, and global trends in standardisation.
Module 9: ISO/IEC 17025, Accreditation and Regulatory Oversight
- The structure and key clauses of ISO/IEC 17025, and the criteria for accreditation.
- Embedding QC into daily practice through staff engagement and training.
- The role of national and international regulators, maintaining compliance during inspections, and keeping pace with evolving standards.