Laboratory Data Integrity Best Practices
Posted on : December 4, 2025
Laboratory Data Integrity Best Practices
Data integrity is the foundation of laboratory credibility. Results that can’t be trusted have no value regardless of analytical sophistication.
ALCOA+ Principles
Attributable: Data must be traceable to who generated it.
Legible: Records must be readable and permanent.
Contemporaneous: Data must be recorded when generated.
Original: First-generation records must be preserved.
Accurate: Data must be correct and complete.
Technology Controls
Modern LIMS provides technical controls including unique user accounts, complete audit trails, electronic signatures, data locking, and automated backup.
Procedural Controls
Laboratories need policies addressing data review workflows, error correction procedures, training on integrity expectations, and regular audits of data practices.
