8.4 Quality Systems in the Analytical Laboratory
319
8.3.3 Quality and the Analytical Problem
If analytical properties are related to the basic approach to quality, the analytical problem is the materialization, in the analytical domain, of the applied
approach to quality, which identifies it with client satisfaction. Figure 7.10
realizes these correspondences, which are also reflected in Fig. 8.6.
Solving the analytical problem (Sect. 7.5) entails meeting the client's information needs and hence consistency between the analytical information
required by the client and that supplied by the laboratory (see Sect. 7.6). Analytical quality, on which external quality - related to the client's social or economic
problem - relies, will thus have been accomplished.
The basic and applied facets of analytical quality are obviously related; in fact,
analytical properties are a substantial part in specifying the characteristics of
the analytical information required (second step of the analytical problemsolving process) and an indispensable reference to assess the results produced
(fourth step of the process).
1s.4 Quality Systems in the Analytical Laboratory
The analytical laboratory can be viewed as a production body that receives raw
materials (e.g. analytical problems, samples, reagents, standards) and delivers
products (analytical information, results). Therefore, quality systems, which
have been widely developed in the business realm over the past three decades,
are also applicable here - following adaptation to the peculiarities of the analyticallaboratory.
8.4.1 Elements of Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance as applied to a laboratory only makes sense when placed at
the end of the hierarchical, cyclic chain of Fig. 8.4. Its components in the analytical chemical domain are depicted in Fig. 8.7.
Quality Assurance in Analytical Chemistry is the framework for the three
components included in Fig. 8.4. Quality Control basically involves examining
the laboratory and its results. Quality Assessment involves inspecting Quality
Control, the laboratory, the results it supplies and their relationship to the solution to the analytical problem. Whenever needed, the outcome of Quality Assessment should include internal corrective actions within the framework of Quality
Assurance.
Quality Assurance activities should lead to the implementation of corrective
actions, which should initially focus on the laboratory (viz. on the quality of the
analytical process in terms of performance and organization, and also on that of the
analytical tools used); in any case, they should reflect in the quality of the analytical results and help improve the laboratory's ability to solve analytical problems.
319
8.3.3 Quality and the Analytical Problem
If analytical properties are related to the basic approach to quality, the analytical problem is the materialization, in the analytical domain, of the applied
approach to quality, which identifies it with client satisfaction. Figure 7.10
realizes these correspondences, which are also reflected in Fig. 8.6.
Solving the analytical problem (Sect. 7.5) entails meeting the client's information needs and hence consistency between the analytical information
required by the client and that supplied by the laboratory (see Sect. 7.6). Analytical quality, on which external quality - related to the client's social or economic
problem - relies, will thus have been accomplished.
The basic and applied facets of analytical quality are obviously related; in fact,
analytical properties are a substantial part in specifying the characteristics of
the analytical information required (second step of the analytical problemsolving process) and an indispensable reference to assess the results produced
(fourth step of the process).
1s.4 Quality Systems in the Analytical Laboratory
The analytical laboratory can be viewed as a production body that receives raw
materials (e.g. analytical problems, samples, reagents, standards) and delivers
products (analytical information, results). Therefore, quality systems, which
have been widely developed in the business realm over the past three decades,
are also applicable here - following adaptation to the peculiarities of the analyticallaboratory.
8.4.1 Elements of Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance as applied to a laboratory only makes sense when placed at
the end of the hierarchical, cyclic chain of Fig. 8.4. Its components in the analytical chemical domain are depicted in Fig. 8.7.
Quality Assurance in Analytical Chemistry is the framework for the three
components included in Fig. 8.4. Quality Control basically involves examining
the laboratory and its results. Quality Assessment involves inspecting Quality
Control, the laboratory, the results it supplies and their relationship to the solution to the analytical problem. Whenever needed, the outcome of Quality Assessment should include internal corrective actions within the framework of Quality
Assurance.
Quality Assurance activities should lead to the implementation of corrective
actions, which should initially focus on the laboratory (viz. on the quality of the
analytical process in terms of performance and organization, and also on that of the
analytical tools used); in any case, they should reflect in the quality of the analytical results and help improve the laboratory's ability to solve analytical problems.