Laboratory Information Management System quality

In Fig. 42.9 we show the simulation results obtained by Janse [8] for a municipal laboratory for the quality assurance of drinking water. Simulated delays are in good agreement with the real delays in the laboratory. Unfortunately, the development of this simulation model took several man years which is prohibitive for a widespread application. Therefore one needs a simulator (or empty shell) with predefined objects and rules by which a laboratory manager would be capable to develop a specific model of his laboratory. Ideally such a simulator should be linked to or be integrated with the laboratory information management system in order to extract directly the attribute values. 

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... 

The Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) has achieved wide recognition as a powerful tool for increasing the productivity and quality of service of the analytical laboratory. Systems have been developed that range from inexpensive microcomputer based systems to half-million dollar or more large, minicomputer based systems. In addition, many firms have already developed or acquired custom systems tailored to their specific needs(1-8). 

LIMS systems m [LABORATORY INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS] (Vol 14) Quality function deployment... 

Every analytical laboratory, governmental, private, or university, has a standard set of procedures that provide both general and specific information to laboratory members. These fall into certain categories, including the laboratory s standard operating procedures (SOPs), quality assurance/quality control manuals (QA/QC manuals), procedural manuals, analytical method files, and laboratory information management systems... 

Current procedures emphasise the importance of storing the laboratory recorded data ( raw data ) and the XRFS analyses are now direcdy transferred via a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to data tables in the BGS corporate geochemistry database. Conditioned data is loaded to different data tables and importantly every analyte result has an accompanying qualifier field that can be provided to the user to explain any data quality issues. 

Nakagawa, A.S. LIMS Implementation and Management The Royal Society of Chemistry Cambridge, UK, 1994. Hinton, M.D. Laboratory Information Management Systems Development and Implementation for a Quality Assurance Laboratory Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, USA, 1995. 

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is a type of laboratory software that is designed typically to manage sample-oriented data entry and workflows in the quality control area of commercial production laboratories. 

Resin, A. (2002) A quality laboratory information management system implementation at a worldwide level. Spectra Analyse, 31 (229), 31-33. 

The quality of an analytical result also depends on the vaUdity of the sample utilized and the method chosen for data analysis. There are articles describiag Sampling and automated sample preparation (see Automated instrumentation) as well as articles emphasizing data treatment (see Chemometrics Computer technology), data iaterpretation (see Databases Imaging technology), and the communication of data within the laboratory or process system (see Expert systems Laboratory information management systems). 

This method is used for stability, research development, and for production quality control. Hardness testers are available from many vendors and today, many labs are using bench top models that can directly be interfaced to a laboratory information management system (LIMS). Figure 10.4 shows a typical hardness tester. 

See alsa Blood and Plasma. Chemometrics and Statistics Multivariate Calibration Techniques. Chromatography Overview. Electrophoresis Clinical Applications. Enzymes Enzymes in Physiological Samples Enzyme-Based Assays. Quality Assurance Quality Control Primary Standards Laboratory Information Management Systems. Sample Handling Automated Sample Preparation. 

See QUALITY ASSURANCE Laboratory Information Management Systems... 

See also Quality Assurance Quality Control Instrument Calibration Interlaboratory Studies Reference Materials Production of Reference Materials Laboratory Information Management Systems. 

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