Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC)
Current QA/QC activities include Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) documentation, a laboratory training program, laboratory audits, preparation of sample handling and genotyping controls, as well as equipment and inventory maintenance and management. A robust electronic deviation system developed in the CGR LIMS is used for recording process deviations for convenient retrieval by laboratory managers, project management and bioinformatics. The QA/QC group also develops automation workstation methods for high-throughput processing.
Quality control of data analysis includes investigations pertaining to control failures, low completion rates and/or sample discordances. These investigations are completed prior to report delivery of genotyping results.
Goals of the QA/QC group include:
- Assurance of high quality sample processing and data.
- High consistency of laboratory processes.
- Continuous improvement and process optimization.
- Reproducibility and traceability of results.
- Laboratory audits for safety compliance, materials management and equipment maintenance.
Expanded responsibilities of the QA/QC group include:
- Methodology and technology research.
- Experimental design.
- Process evaluation and optimization.
- Implementation of LIMS functionality for lab processes.
- Creation of SOPs.
- Technology transfer through training of laboratory staff.
