For quality control when monitoring reagents, how often should reagent disks be checked?

Reagent disks are crucial for ensuring accurate laboratory results, so having a robust quality control process in place is essential. Checking reagent disks both when the container is first opened and at least once each week of use ensures the integrity and reliability of the reagents.

When a container is first opened, it’s important to verify that the reagents are functioning properly, as any degradation or contamination can impact results. Regular weekly checks thereafter help to monitor for any changes that might occur during use, such as alterations in their performance due to external factors like temperature or humidity, or simply the aging of the reagent.

This dual approach—initial and ongoing weekly checks—provides a comprehensive quality control strategy, ensuring that the reagents are consistently reliable for accurate testing over time. Therefore, including both checks as part of the quality control process is the best practice.