Q&A: Accountability and compliance in the laboratory

How a laboratory approaches mistakes, successes, and compliance with rules are all equally important, says Sean G. Kaufman, CEO and founding partner of the lab safety company Safer Behaviors—and it all comes back to accountability. As you try to promote safety and quality in your lab or clinic, remember some basic principles, Kaufman says. A constructive system of accountability in the laboratory will yield better safety results than finger-pointing and punishments. Telling someone not to do something doesn’t work without also telling them what they should be doing. Finally, if someone is doing a good job and meeting expectations, make sure you tell them so they will continue to do a good job and meeting expectations.

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