Before permanently filing a source document, quality control (QC) personnel must check it for what?

A source document is a fundamental piece of evidence used in medical logistics and data management, playing a crucial role in ensuring the integrity and reliability of information. Quality control personnel are tasked with verifying several attributes of these documents prior to their permanent filing, with validity being a key aspect.

Validity focuses on whether the information contained in the source document accurately reflects what it is supposed to represent. This means checking that the data corresponds with established standards, definitions, and guidelines relevant to the relevant processes or procedures. For instance, in a medical logistics context, this could involve ensuring that patient data adheres to medical coding standards or that inventory records align with actual stock levels.

While completeness, accuracy, and legibility are also important factors in maintaining quality control, they serve different purposes. Completeness checks ensure that all necessary information is present, accuracy verifies that the information is correct and dated, and legibility confirms that the document can be read easily. However, if a document is not valid, no amount of completeness, accuracy, or legibility can make it reliable or useful in terms of decision-making and compliance. Therefore, ensuring the validity of source documents is essential for maintaining the overall quality and usability of the data in medical logistics.