Internal quality control and external quality assurance in the IVF laboratory.

The existence of internal quality control programmes and external quality assurance schemes is important in enabling the maintenance of good service to patients. All aspects of our work in laboratories involved in the diagnosis and treatment of human infertility can benefit from such programmes and schemes, moving the work from being a subjective art form to an objective science. Equally, many clinical procedures are amenable to such scrutiny. Acceptance and introduction of such schemes and programmes will rely initially on the self-motivation of the laboratories themselves and then pressure brought to bear by accrediting authorities.