Quality management (QM) principles and basic QM processes, along with the importance of quality for non-blood specimens, prior to laboratory analysis are required foundational skills in the Medical Laboratory Technology Program. In this course students will discuss quality management concepts, processes, and theories employed in the clinical laboratory, with an emphasis on Quality System Essentials (QSE). The relationship of quality in the clinical laboratory and patient care will be introduced. Students will also begin learning the importance of the pre-examination phase of laboratory testing and how to apply quality principles. Various processing requirements and the importance for non-blood specimens will be taught. Students will be provided opportunities to begin applying quality concepts in a simulated clinical laboratory setting.