Quality management in the ART laboratory. 2003

Peter M M Kastrop
Division of Perinatology and Gynaecology, Department of Reproductive Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands. P.Kastrop@azu.nl

Unlike most medical laboratories that play a diagnostic role, laboratories for assisted reproductive technologies, ART laboratories, are involved in the treatment of infertile couples. Handling human gametes and producing human embryos in order to achieve much-sought pregnancies form the key tasks of an ART laboratory. The impact of the activities and the possible risks makes it necessary to ensure the safety and reproducibility of all methods. To achieve and maintain the highest level of patient care and the highest success rates, a quality management system should be implemented. Several guidelines, compiled by professional associations of ART experts, official international standards and quality management models have been developed and issued and can be applied. Irrespective of the choice, establishing a quality management system in an ART laboratory leads to a huge amount of additional work and requires a lot of investment in all kind of areas. However, due to the increased standardization and efficiency of all procedures as well as the improved transparency and traceability of all actions performed, the quality of service provided by the laboratory will improve substantially and the effort will be worthwhile.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007753 Laboratories Facilities equipped to carry out investigative procedures. Laboratory
D011786 Quality Control A system for verifying and maintaining a desired level of quality in a product or process by careful planning, use of proper equipment, continued inspection, and corrective action as required. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed) Control, Quality,Controls, Quality,Quality Controls
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D027724 Reproductive Techniques, Assisted Clinical and laboratory techniques used to enhance fertility in humans and animals. Reproductive Technology, Assisted,Assisted Reproductive Technics,Assisted Reproductive Techniques,Assisted Reproductive Technic,Assisted Reproductive Technique,Assisted Reproductive Technologies,Assisted Reproductive Technology,Reproductive Technic, Assisted,Reproductive Technics, Assisted,Reproductive Technique, Assisted,Reproductive Technologies, Assisted,Technic, Assisted Reproductive,Technics, Assisted Reproductive,Technique, Assisted Reproductive,Techniques, Assisted Reproductive,Technologies, Assisted Reproductive,Technology, Assisted Reproductive

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