Computerized validation

Quality control for clinical data within data management includes computerized validation of data in the database and second-pass data entry. These activities are performed to ensure that data are complete. 

Sir Bernard Lovell, the founder of Britain s Jodrell Bank Observatory, brings our attention to a present development which, unfortunately, does not favor serendipitous discoveries. What he wrote about astronomy in 1984 is certainly valid for chemistry too I was enthusiastic when. .. computers became a major force in astronomical research. .. But even the greatest blessings tend to be mixed. .. Computers are no exception. .. I fear that literal-minded, narrowly focused computerized research is proving antithetical to the free exercise of that happy faculty known as serendipity. .. . 

Many quality programs and company standards require the validation of computerized systems. Systems that generate or manipulate data must be validated to fulfill various regulatory requirements. Failure to perform adequate validation may result in a lack of confidence in the data generated and regulatory noncompliance. 

Because the validation of computerized systems is time consuming, expensive and resource intensive, many organizations are challenged to identify and prioritize which systems will be validated. There are organizational and system specific risk factors to consider in the regulated environment. Each organization must establish its own risk assessment process. 

The following considerations must be addressed when validating computerized systems ... 

Although Eq. (25) has no physical meaning and although its simplification is not valid thermodynamically, since the condition of electroneutrality in both phases is not fulfilled if the proton cannot partition, it agrees very well with experimental data, which justifies its use. In fact, computerized fitting procedures correct for this error in commercial two-phase titrators, so that the experimental value of p K can directly be introduced in Eq. (25). 

The expression of chemical fate can be computerized using a code to perform the computations and predict the results when inputs simulating conditions of interest are provided. Two critical aspects of the use of computer codes for predicting geochemical fate are the verification and validation of the models on which the codes are based. 

Various aspects of in vitro gas production test have been reviewed by Getachew et al. [33], and these authors reported that gas measurement were centered on investigations of rumen microbial activities using manometric measurements and concluded that these methods do not have wide acceptability in routine feed evaluation since there was no provision for the mechanical stirring of the sample during incubation. Another in vitro automated pressure transducer method for gas production measurement was developed by Wilkins [34], and the method was validated by Blummel and Orskov [35] and Makkar et al. [36]. There are several other gas-measuring techniques such as (i) Flohenheim gas method or Menke s method [37] (ii) liquid displacement system [38] (iii) manometric method [39] (iv) pressure transducer systems manual [40], computerized [41], and combination of pressure transducer and gas release system [42]. 

Equipment must be suitable, maintained and, where appropriate, calibrated. Computer systems used to generate, store and retrieve data should be of appropriate design and capacity, validated and suitably located. If there are computerized systems used to control environmental factors, then these also require the same consideration. Issues relating to computerized systems are covered in Section 9.2.1.8. 

The computerized systems, both hardware and software, that form part of the GLP study should comply with the requirements of the principles of GLP. This relates to the development, validation, operation and maintenance of the system. Validation means that tests have been carried out to demonstrate that the system is fit for its intended purpose. Like any other validation, this will be the use of objective evidence to confirm that the pre-set requirements for the system have been met. There will be a number of different types of computer system, ranging from personal computers and programmable analytical instruments to a laboratory information management system (LIMS). The extent of validation depends on the impact the system has on product quality, safety and record integrity. A risk-based approach can be used to assess the extent of validation required, focusing effort on critical areas. A computerized analytical system in a QC laboratory requires full validation (equipment qualification) with clear boundaries set on its range of operation because this has a high... 

Computers were first used in laboratories to calculate results and generate reports, often from an individual instrument. As automated analysers were developed, so the level of computerization increased and computers now play a major role in the modem laboratory. They are associated with both the analytical and organizational aspects and the term Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is often used to describe this overall function. Such systems are available that link the various operations associated with the production of a validated test result, from the receipt of the sample to the electronic transmission of the report to the initiator of the request, who may be at a site removed from the laboratory. Other uses include stock control, human resource management and budgets. 

A pharmaceutical company has to adopt a proactive policy of validation for its facilities, production processes, production equipment and support systems, analytical methods, and computerized systems. A properly validated approach will help to assure drug product quality, optimize the processes, and reduce manufacturing cost. 

Computer validation establishes documented evidence to show that the computerized system will consistently function and meet its predetermined specification and quality attributes with a high degree of assurance. Some of the parameters tested in the validation process include the following ... 

A modem mass spectrometer is constmcted from elements which approach the state-of-the-art in solid-state electronics, vacuum systems, magnet design, precision machining, and computerized data acquisition and processing. [1] This is and has ever been a fully valid statement about mass spectrometers. 

The USP 24 General Notices state that alternative methods may be used to determine that products comply with the pharmacopoeial standards for the advantages in accuracy, sensitivity, precision, selectivity, adaptability to automation or computerized data reduction, or any other special circumstances. Such alternative or automated methods shall be validated However, when disputed, the compendial method is conclusive as it is the official or referee test. In addition, USP Chapter (61) Microbial Limit Tests states that automated methods may be substituted provided they are validated and give equivalent or better results, whereas USP Chapter (71) Sterility Tests states that alternative procedures may be employed to demonstrate that an article is sterile, provided the results obtained are at least of equivalent reliability. 

The OECD Database on Chemical Risk Assessment Models includes information on models (computerized or capable of being computerized) that are used by OECD Member governments and industry to predict health or environmental effects (e.g., QSARs), exposure potential, and possible risks. The methods described have not been evaluated or validated by OECD. 

Computerized systems must be suitable for their intended purpose and be validated. All data, including electronic data, must be controlled and properly archived. 

The initial benchmark results obtained with the full CCSD-R12 method [34] testified that the various simplified CCSD-R12 methods reported earlier were highly accurate approximations to the full CCSD-R12 method unless the basis set was too small. The assumptions about the relative importance of diagrammatic terms made in these simplified methods were proven to be valid. However, these neglected terms do not increase the computational cost scaling of CCSD-R12 and there appears no need to eliminate them from full CCSD-R12, once they are implemented. In other words, it is important to distinguish whether a certain approximation is motivated by a compromise between accuracy and the computational cost or by that between accuracy and the development cost. The latter has become increasingly unjustifiable with the advent of computerized derivation and implementation. 

The Brady Act was challenged in court, but only the part requiring state officials to carry out the back ound checks was overturned by the Supreme Court in 1997 in Printz v. U.S., on the grounds that Congress lacked the power to commandeer the services of local officials. This decision would have little impact because the Brady Act already had a provision that after five years (in 1998) the waiting period would be replaced by a computerized national instant check system that would verify a gun purchaser in much the same way that stores validate credit cards. 

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