What is the purpose of a hand receipt in QM operations?

• A. To assign accountability for items to a specific person or position and track issue/return
• B. To authorize disposal of equipment
• C. To record financial costs
• D. To track maintenance schedules

Answer: (A)

The hand receipt establishes who is responsible for a set of items and keeps a clear trail of who has them and when. It creates a formal link between property and the person or duty position entrusted with it, listing each item with details (what it is, quantities, serial numbers if applicable, condition, and where it’s located) and identifying the accountable individual. As items are issued, moved, or returned, the hand receipt is updated, enabling routine inventories and audits and providing a traceable history from issue through to turn-in or transfer. This accountability helps prevent loss, makes shortages easier to detect, and ensures responsibility follows changes in duty or assignment. Other processes handle disposal, costs, or maintenance separately, but the hand receipt’s purpose is specifically to assign and track accountability for the property.