What document outlines the standard operating procedures in a laboratory?

The laboratory manual is the key document that outlines the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in a laboratory. It serves as a comprehensive guide that details the protocols, techniques, and practices that laboratory personnel must follow to ensure consistency, accuracy, and safety in their work. By providing clear instructions on how to conduct tests and handle equipment, the laboratory manual plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of laboratory results and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

The quality assurance report focuses on the processes and measures taken to maintain the quality of laboratory services, but it does not provide the step-by-step procedures necessary for day-to-day operations. Patient care guidelines are primarily directed at healthcare providers and focus on how to care for patients, rather than on laboratory procedures. An inventory control list is used to keep track of supplies and equipment within the lab, which is essential for management but not relevant to the operational procedures themselves. Thus, the laboratory manual stands out as the authoritative source for SOPs in the laboratory environment.