Why a QMS Checkbox Is Not Enough: Building Compliance Into Daily Work
Medical device companies often treat quality management systems as a documentation exercise, but regulators and auditors are focused on whether the system actually prevents faulty devices from reaching patients. A recurring gap identified in MDR 2017/745 audits is poor traceability — engineers struggle to link incidents, risk assessments, change controls, and device documentation in real time. Standards like ISO 13485 and the MDR define what must be documented but offer little guidance on making those processes usable day-to-day. Experts recommend designing QMS workflows around discoverability, embedding compliance steps directly into engineers' tasks, and keeping risk assessments visibly connected to CAPAs and post-market clinical follow-up. Practical fixes such as structured CAPA templates, one-click traceability checks at change approval, and AI-assisted drafting with mandatory human sign-off can close these gaps without requiring a full system overhaul.
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