Importance of Quality in Diagnostics

An abundance of new diagnostic tests have been introduced now and how the quality of diagnostic information and decision should be measured in a meaningful way has become extremely important in recent years.

The quality of the apparatus used, test sample analysis and accuracy count for the quality of the diagnostic tests. Two out of three times, the doctor’s diagnosis of the disease of a patient depends on the laboratory results. So the diagnostic laboratory becomes a valuable, indispensable and competent partner to the hospital. There is no reason for one to go for a lower quality diagnostic as it could have a fatal impact, if the reports are out of line in terms of accuracy.

When we talk about the quality in diagnostics, we should consider various things that could affect

it. The first thing is the quality of the staff that takes samples from you. If the staff are not well trained and not educated enough to take samples or perform certain procedures, it could seriously affect the final reports. The next thing is the infrastructure and it includes the hygiene of the facility where your samples are handled and stored.

The cleanliness of the storage containers for the samples, the sterilization of the apparatus and other components could severely affect the tests. As the final output of the diagnostics is the test reports, the quality of the diagnostics also includes the reliability and accuracy of the reports.

Laboratory quality can be defined as accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of the reported test results. The laboratory results must be as accurate as possible, all aspects of the laboratory operations must be reliable, and reporting must be timely in order to be useful in a clinic.

If inaccurate results are provided, the consequences can be very significant, such as

delay in correct diagnosis

failure to provide the proper treatment

unnecessary treatment; treatment complications

additional and unnecessary diagnostic testing.

These consequences result in increased cost of time, personal efforts, and life if not treated properly on time.