Standard Operating Procedure

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP ) to German standard procedure, is a work statement that the actions within a process - describes - for example, a business work process. Frequently recurring work processes are described textually and exporting persons given explanatory at hand.

From creation to implementation of a SOP steps are always connected:

• Documentation ( for example description of a sequence )
• Examination by second person with signature and applied criteria
• Information and training of concerned
• Change Management

A SOP usually includes a unique identifier, a validity date or period, a version number, and the creator's name, auditor and the free encoder with the respective signatures. It should be clear who has what and when specified to ensure traceability at all times.

Pharmaceutical industry and clinicians

SOPs are often used in pharmaceutical processes as well as in clinical trials, in which it is important to ensure compliance with always the same processes and documented. This ensures that, for example, each subject in the same manner is treated ( See also: " Good Clinical Practice ", "clinical pathway "). Another application is the triage, are determined at the limited resources available in accordance with a hierarchical basis and are limited to the treatment medically appropriate urgent and practically possible.

Aviation

For many decades, SOPs are common as checklists in aviation. They are used by the pilots and flight attendants.