Quality control in the laboratory ensures the ____ of results.

Quality control in the laboratory ensures the ____ of results.

• A. Speed
• B. Accuracy
• C. Reliability
• D. Precision

Answer: (B)

Quality control in the laboratory is about ensuring that the measurements reported are correct relative to a known standard. By using control materials and calibrators, the lab checks for bias and systematic error, confirming that results are accurate. If control results fall outside acceptable limits, the method or instrument is investigated and results are not released until issues are resolved, protecting the validity of patient results. Speed is not the focus of quality control, since speeding up testing doesn’t guarantee correctness. While reliability (consistency over time) and precision (repeatability) are important and QC helps maintain them, the direct attribute being ensured about the reported value is accuracy.

Quality control in the laboratory is about ensuring that the measurements reported are correct relative to a known standard. By using control materials and calibrators, the lab checks for bias and systematic error, confirming that results are accurate. If control results fall outside acceptable limits, the method or instrument is investigated and results are not released until issues are resolved, protecting the validity of patient results. Speed is not the focus of quality control, since speeding up testing doesn’t guarantee correctness. While reliability (consistency over time) and precision (repeatability) are important and QC helps maintain them, the direct attribute being ensured about the reported value is accuracy.