185 - ISO 10013, Document Control in Pharma & Devices: SOPs, Work Instructions, and RACI Done Right with Aaron Snyder

Let's Combinate · 23 Apr 2025 · 25m

What this episode covers

Aaron Snyder, founder of Quality Systems Explained and former VP of QA at Allotex and Fresenius Kabi, explains the hierarchy of quality documentation, distinguishing between policies, SOPs, and work instructions. He emphasizes that while SOPs define 'what' to do, work instructions must detail 'how' to do it, particularly when using electronic systems like MasterControl or TrackWise. Snyder highlights the critical role of RACI matrices in defining clear roles and responsibilities to prevent ambiguity and ensure accountability in regulated environments.

Most relevant to

established companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Allotex, Fresenius Kabi
Tools
MasterControl, TrackWise, ETQ, Agile, Arena, RACI Matrix
Also
Quality Systems Explained, ISO 10013

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 55m

    Leaning into Lean Documentation

    Steve Gompertz, a partner at QRX Partners with experience at St. Jude Medical, Boston Scientific, and Medtronic, explains the concept of lean documentation in medical device Quality Management Systems (QMS). He argues that documentation should be written for employees, not auditors, using hierarchical structures like flowcharts and appendices to improve usability. Gompertz details how to build effective Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), manage CAPA execution, and prove the ROI of a well-architected QMS by reducing audit findings. He also outlines the essential early-stage components for a new medical device company, emphasizing design controls and management responsibility.

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 43m

    Meet a Guru: Taylor Brown

    Taylor Brown, a medical device guru at Greenlight Guru, discusses her background in document control and auditing, emphasizing the importance of understanding the 'why' behind ISO 13485 regulations. She highlights how Greenlight Guru’s software simplifies quality management by eliminating the inefficiencies of physical document handling, such as the 'red folder' or 'blue paper' processes, and enables smoother, faster audits. Brown advises companies to adopt a phased approach to implementing their Quality Management System (QMS), avoiding over-complication and striving for perfection, and stresses that quality systems must be living entities that evolve with the company.

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 29m

    Meet a Guru: Tom Rish

    Tom Rish, a senior medical device guru at Greenlight Guru, discusses his background in orthopedic implants at Zimmer and his current role helping startups navigate regulatory frameworks. He emphasizes that regulations like FDA 21 CFR 820 and ISO 13485 are simple efficiencies rather than complex burdens, advising companies to 'right-size' their Quality Management Systems (QMS) by focusing only on immediate needs. Rish shares practical advice for one-person teams and early-stage companies, such as writing procedures while performing tasks to ensure they are efficient and avoiding the 'procedure overload' that leads to non-compliance. He highlights the importance of integrating documentation, like risk matrices and user needs, into the daily workflow to prevent last-minute 'non-stop paperwork' crises before submissions or audits.

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 39m

    #420: MedTech Synergy: The Project Manager and Quality Professional Relationship

    Beth Waring, a medical device consultant at Greenlight Guru, discusses the critical relationship between project managers and quality professionals, advocating for a shift from a 'police force' mentality to a collaborative partnership. She explains the distinction between 'big Q' (the department) and 'small Q' (a company-wide quality mindset), emphasizing that open communication and explaining the 'why' behind procedures are key to adoption. The conversation highlights how digital EQMS solutions like Greenlight Guru streamline design controls, change orders, and traceability, reducing the manual burden on project managers and ensuring compliance with regulations like 21 CFR Part 820 and ISO 13485.

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 54m

    #329 The Right Way to Start a QMS: When, How, & What

    Rob MacCuspie, Manager of Regulatory and Quality Affairs at Proxima Clinical Research, explains how to build a Quality Management System (QMS) by balancing investor cost concerns with FDA regulatory requirements. He argues that a QMS is not just a document management system but a culture driven by management responsibility and people, using a 'highway vs. mountain road' analogy to describe risk-based rigor for different device classes. MacCuspie details the phased implementation of QMS components, the specific challenges of Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) regarding labeling and testing, and the operational efficiency gains of moving from paper to compliant electronic systems like Greenlight Guru.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Let's Combinate. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.