A quality management system should allow for continuous improvement. One of the foundations of continuous quality improvement is the use of corrective or preventive actions (CAPA). CAPA is meant to correct problems with the system when they become evident or to prevent problems before they occur.

Problems become evident in several ways including through customer complaints, quality audits, FDA inspections, or employee suggestions.

More important than corrective actions is preventive actions. Using risk analysis tools, a company can work to prevent problems before they occur.

Learning Objectives:

- 1.3 - Explain how a quality management system helps a company meet the guidelines from regulatory bodies.