During an ISO 13485:2016 audit, the Lead Auditor is reviewing the effectiveness of the company's Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) system. The auditor notes that the company's CAPA procedure includes a requirement for effectiveness checks to verify that implemented corrective actions have been effective in addressing the root cause of the problem and preventing recurrence. However, the Lead Auditor discovers that the effectiveness checks consistently focus on confirming the immediate resolution of the problem, with limited consideration of the long-term sustainability and robustness of the implemented corrective action, or its potential unintended consequences. What is the MOST appropriate next step for the Lead Auditor to take?
A medical device company is undergoing an ISO 13485:2016 audit. The company uses a contract manufacturer for a critical component of their Class II medical device. The Lead Auditor reviews the company's **documented procedure**, or lack thereof, for controlling the outsourced process. The quality agreement with the contract manufacturer clearly defines the product specifications, quality requirements, and acceptance criteria. The medical device company performs a thorough risk assessment of any changes notified to them. There is evidence of recent performance data trending showing sustained compliance, however, the quality agreement does not define how frequently the quality agreement itself is reviewed or updated. As a Lead Auditor, what is the MOST appropriate determination regarding the company's approach?
A medical device company is undergoing an ISO 13485:2016 audit. The company has a well-defined process for handling customer complaints, including documentation, investigation, and corrective actions. The Lead Auditor discovers that the company is using an older version of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software to manage customer complaint records, where the software vendor no longer provides any security patches or updates. The company has a documented procedure for backing up the data stored within the CRM. What is the MOST appropriate response for the Lead Auditor?
During an ISO 13485:2016 audit of a medical device company, the Lead Auditor discovers that the company has implemented a comprehensive training program for its employees. The program covers various aspects of the QMS, including document control, CAPA, and risk management. However, the effectiveness of the training is solely measured through post-training quizzes, with no documented evidence of how the learned knowledge and skills are applied in the employees' actual job performance. As a Lead Auditor, what is your PRIMARY concern?
A medical device company manufactures Class IIa devices and is undergoing an ISO 13485:2016 audit. The company performs internal audits. The Lead Auditor reviews the internal audit reports and discovers that the reports consistently lack objective evidence to support the audit findings and conclusions. The Quality Manager explains that while the audit reports may not contain direct objective evidence in the report, they maintain detailed working papers with all the objective evidence, that can be requested and reviewed upon request, and which support the report's findings. What should be the Lead Auditor's MOST appropriate course of action?