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Improvement process

Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA)

A structured process for identifying causes of actual or potential problems and implementing corrective or preventive actions to control recurrence or occurrence.

Related domain: ValidationConcept ID: concept-capa

Definition

A structured process for identifying causes of actual or potential problems and implementing corrective or preventive actions to control recurrence or occurrence.

Human Explanation

CAPA asks how to correct a problem and how to prevent the relevant cause from producing it again.

Why it Matters

It allows an organisation to learn from evidence and improve its processes systematically.

Conceptual Boundary

CAPA is more than correcting an immediate symptom; actions should address verified causes and be checked for effectiveness.

Practical Perspective

CAPA may follow Deviations, audits, complaints or trends, but its scope should remain proportionate to risk.

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