What does QA/QC stand for in a diagnostic lab?

• A. Quality Assurance/Quality Control
• B. Quick Assessment/Quality Check
• C. Quality Analysis/Quality Control
• D. Quality Assurance and Compliance

Answer: (A)

In a diagnostic lab, QA/QC stands for Quality Assurance and Quality Control. Quality Assurance is the systematic set of activities that ensure the lab's processes and methods are appropriate, validated, and consistently followed. This includes documented procedures, method validation, equipment maintenance plans, staff training, and regular audits to prevent errors. Quality Control, on the other hand, refers to the real-time checks that verify outputs meet quality standards—running control samples with each batch, calibrating instruments, monitoring assay performance, and participating in external quality programs. QA aims to prevent mistakes by designing good processes, while QC detects and corrects mistakes in the test results. Together, they keep diagnostic results accurate and reliable. The other phrasing listed isn’t the standard expansion for this context.