MCB 4202: ANALYTICAL MICROBIOLOGY
AND QUALITY CONTROL
QUALITY CONTROL IN THE
MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY
Dr. Aminu Bukar
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, College of Natural and
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano
2021/2022 SESSION
DEFINE QUALITY IN YOUR OWN WORDS
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WHAT IS QUALITY
Quality means meeting the
pre-determined requirements
of users for a particular
substance or service.
Quality is the totality of
features and characteristics of
a product or service that bear
on its ability to satisfy given
needs.
Continuous Quality
Improvement
Quality includes the following:
Total Quality Management
(TQM) = Quality Control (QC) +
Continuous Quality
Improvement (CQI) + Quality
Assurance (QA)
QUALITY CONTROL (QC)
Definitions QC
1). The term Quality Control covers that part
of QA, which primarily concerns with the
CREATE QUALITY PRODUCT
control of errors in the performance of tests WITH STAFF AND
and verification of test results MANAGEMENT MAKING
2). Quality Control is also a planned system
MINIMAL MISTAKES
of activities whose purpose is to provide a
quality product
3). Quality control may also be considered
the combination of systems, procedures,
activities, instructions, and management
reviews that control and improve the quality
of work performed.
QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA)
Definitions
1). Quality assurance has been defined by WHO as: “The
total process whereby the quality of laboratory reports can
be guaranteed.”
2). Quality assurance as "a planned system of activities
whose purpose is to provide assurance that the quality
control program is actually effective”
3). Quality Assurance (QA) activities include a planned
system of review procedures conducted by personnel not
directly involved in the inventory
compilation/development process.
4). Quality assurance is the system of activities that gives
management confidence that the quality control systems
are in place and are effective in producing analytical results
Types of QA
1) Internal QA = Quality Control (QC) +
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
- Each laboratory should have a programme
to check the quality of its own tests results,
which involve:
i) Continuous monitoring of test quality
ii) Comprehensive checking of all steps from
collection of sample to report dispatch
2) External QA = Quality assessment by
external persons
Reviews, preferably by independent third
parties, should be performed upon a
finalised result following the implementation
of QC procedures
6) Creation of good reputation for
the laboratory
1
7) Prevention of legal suits and
5 2 associated complications
8) Improved morale of staff as they
gain confidence in the results they
produce
3
4
QC VS QA
• Assessment of products to ensure confidence with
the QC measures employed during production
QC = Good result/product
QA = Assurance of Good result/product
THE MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY
Objectives/Tasks of Microbiology laboratories are to
employ quality control measures to ensure the:
Accuracy,
reliability,
consistency, and
reproducibility of the various test results during:
*isolation and identification of isolates from
specimens
* enumeration of Microorganisms
*antimicrobial susceptibility testing of
microorganisms, and
*performance of serological tests
*These activities relate to all microbiology
laboratories, whether they are independent or a
department or unit of a medical, pharmaceutical or
food manufacturing facility.
Types of Microbiology Laboratories
1). Independent Quality Control Microbiology
laboratory – private laboratory that act as third
party in the result verification process. They are
mostly run on commercial basis
2). Institutional Microbiology laboratory –
Laboratories in academic institutions and medical
facilities (Medical/clinical laboratory). They
employ QC in most of their activities
3). Industrial Quality Control Microbiology
laboratory – Laboratories set up to ensure
Quality Control and Assurance during and after
production such as in Food and pharmaceutical
industries
