By Nancy Ross MS, MT(ASCP)cmp, CQIA (ASQ), CLC (AMT), CQM/OE (ASQ); Irwin Z. Rothenberg; Graham K. Mafela, MLS (ASCP), MBA
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this article, the reader will be able to:
- Discuss the original focus of laboratory quality.
- Describe the evolution of how quality monitoring is changing.
- Differentiate between quality control and quality assurance.
- List the steps of a complete quality management system (QMS).
About the Authors
![](https://ce.mlo-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nancy-Ross_300px.jpg)
Nancy Ross MS, MT(ASCP)cmp is a U.S. Navy–trained clinical laboratory scientist with over 20 years of experience in hospital, reference, and academic laboratory settings. She is the founder of Improov Consulting, Inc., a laboratory consulting company focusing on performance improvement and quality.
![](https://ce.mlo-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Irwin-Professional-looking-photo-Irwin_300px.jpg)
Irwin Z. Rothenberg MBA, MS CLS (ASCP) has over 40 years of experience in laboratory medicine. He previously worked as the technical writer / quality advisor at COLA Resources, Inc. and is now a freelance technical writer for Improov Consulting. Irwin has contributed articles to several professional publications including Physician Office Resources; AAFP-PT POL Insight; Medical Laboratory Observer; and COLA Insights.
![](https://ce.mlo-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/graham_mafela6751_300px.jpg)
Graham K. Mafela, MLS (ASCP), MBA has over 20 years of experience in laboratory medicine and has been providing consulting services since 2012. He is ASCP board-registered as a Medical Laboratory Scientist and holds an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. He is the Chief Operations Officer for Improov Consulting.
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