Quality indicators and specifications for key processes in clinical laboratories: a preliminary experience.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify process indicators for the three phases of laboratory activity and their corresponding quality specifications in our setting (primary care centers, and second- and third-level hospitals that provide public healthcare services in Catalonia).

Methods: Every 2 months, working group members met to present data obtained for quality indicators for the current processes in their laboratories. The results collected were for indicators recorded monthly from 2005 and for indicators recorded less frequently from 2004.