The importance of QC for toxicology clinical labs

Effective toxicology testing relies on selecting and managing appropriate quality control (QC) materials to ensure accurate drug assay performance. Because toxicology varies by specimen type, drug menu, cutoffs, and metabolites, choosing controls that align with urine and oral fluid testing requirements is essential.

This whitepaper from LGC Clinical Diagnostics outlines screening and confirmatory processes, regulatory considerations, and best practices for QC selection, monitoring, and troubleshooting using Westgard rules and Levey‑Jennings charts.

Learn why toxicology laboratories must match controls to assay cutoffs, determine appropriate QC frequency based on testing volume, and document all QC procedures. By ensuring proper QC management labs can provide reliable patient results and meet regulatory compliance.