Laboratory performance

Another significant benefit of a LIMS is the improvement of the overall quaUty of the laboratory. In the case of a laboratory, quaUty is defined as satisfying customer needs in the areas of accuracy, reUabiUty, clarity, and timeliness of analytical information. LIMS can enhance quaUty in a number of ways, eg, in checking conformance to requirements, in organizing and prioritizing work to ensure timeliness, in measuring laboratory performance in areas of technical quaUty and efficiency so as to provide continuous improvement, and in helping the laboratory to communicate clearly, completely, and consistendy (16). 

At the end of the irradiation, the samples are withdrawn from the reactor and y-ray spectroscopy is carried out. Most often the laboratory performing the y-ray spectroscopy is located in a different city, in which case the samples are shipped and the reactor serves as a neutron source only. Many reactors also have y-ray spectroscopy capability so that measurements can be made at the reactor site as well. 

With the use of a microbeam, lateral resolution with NRA on the order of several pm is possible. Flowever, because of the small beam currents obtainable with microbeam systems, sensitivity is limited and reactions with relatively large cross sections are most useful. Only a few laboratories perform microbeam measurements. 

Los Alamos National Laboratory performed separate statistical analyses using the Failure Rate Analysis Code (FRAC) on IPRDS failure data for pumps and valves. The major purpose of the study was to determine which environmental, system, and operating factors adequately explain the variability in the failure data. The results of the pump study are documented in NUREG/CR-3650. The valve study findings are presented in NUREG/CR-4217. 

Measurements of individual laboratory performance provides for comparisons between laboratories. It then follows to ask why some laboratories report data that are more accurate and precise than do their peers, and a well designed external quality assessment scheme allows investigation of some of the important factors (see below). A comparison of performance between individual laboratories also helps to stimulate those who are not so successful to improve (or abandon the assay) and those who do well to continue with their expertise. Finally, changes of performance may be monitored as a consequence of some new factor, e.g. purchase of a new piece of equipment, work carried out by a different analyst, change to the methodology etc. 

DE Boer J and Wells DE (1996) The 1994 QUASIMEME laboratory performance studies chlor-obiphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in fish and sediment. Mar Poll Bull 32 654-666. 

Taylor A (1996) Reference materials and analytical standards to stimulate improved laboratory performance Experience from the external quality assessment scheme for trace elements in biological samples. Mikrochim Acta 123 251-260. 

Prior to a method trial, the FDA strongly recommends that a second analyst or independent laboratory perform the method. The independent analyst is asked follow the method SOP as written. This analyst should not have been involved in developing the method or be familiar with it in any way. The purpose of the independent analysis is to determine if a qualified chemist can perform the method described without input other than that provided in the written instmctions. This trial mn will typically identify problems with the SOP that are not apparent to the method developer. Although not required by the FDA, the independent assessment can identify potential problems with the method SOP prior to the lengthy and costly method trial. A trial mn offers the method developer an opportunity to correct problems and to increase the probability that subsequent method trials will be successful. Finally, the method developer should realize that the variability achieved in his/her laboratory is often less than that realized by less experienced analysts. If a method cannot achieve a suitable degree of repeatability in the developer s laboratory, it should not be expected to do any better in other laboratories. 

The OPMBS was sponsored by a task force, consisting of major registrants of organophosphate pesticides, and utilized three contract organizations to carry out study management, design and conduct of sample collection, and quality assurance (QA). Four analytical laboratories performed the necessary residue analyses. 

Laboratory performance study. Laboratories use the method of their choice to measure one or more quantities on one or more homogeneous and stable test samples in order to assess the performance of the laboratory or analyst. The reported results are compared among themselves, with those of other laboratories, or with the known or assigned reference value, usually with the objective of evaluating or improving laboratory performances (IUPAC Orange Book [1997, 2000]). 

Proficiency testing is a special type of laboratory performance studies defined as study of laboratory performance by means of ongoing interlaboratory test comparisons (ISO Guide 33 [1989] ISO/REMCO N 280 [1993] IUPAC [1993] Prichard et al. [2001]). Proficiency testing is an essential part of external quality assessment schemes and performance checks. 

Study of laboratory performance by means of ongoing interlaboratory test comparisons". 

Size is important in the differentiation of parasites and is most accurately determined with a calibrated ocular micrometer, thus, each laboratory performing diagnostic parasitology must have such a micrometer. 

Few laboratories perform complete parasitological examination, whereas many perform limited studies, and some perform none. Referral laboratories may provide services not available in the individual... 

We will use ANOVA to evaluate potential bias in reported results inherent in the analytical methods themselves, or due to the operators (i.e., location of laboratory) performing the methods. For the next series of articles all computations were completed using MathCad Worksheets [4] written by the authors. The objectives of this next set of articles is to determine the precision, accuracy, and bias due to choice of analytical... 

All proficiency testing schemes should have a statistical protocol which states clearly how the data will be processed and how laboratory performance will be evaluated. This protocol should also describe how the assigned value for any parameter in a test sample is estimated. This is an important consideration, as the performance of individual laboratories is gauged by comparison with the assigned value. 

In Section 7.3.3, we learned about one of the most common scoring systems used in proficiency testing - the z-score - and how laboratory performance can be judged as being satisfactory, questionable or unsatisfactory. How should a laboratory act on the performance scores it receives Action should be considered in the following situations ... 

Participation in proficiency testing schemes can bring significant benefits to laboratories. However, the proficiency testing scheme itself cannot cause improvements in laboratory performance. It is up to the participants to use the feedback they receive from the scheme to monitor their performance and to implement improvements where necessary. 

Use of the original equation for low concentrations is now considered to give an underestimate of the laboratory performance [7]. 

Like any businesses, bioanalytical laboratories perform operations that transform starting materials (samples and supplies) into products of higher value (quality reports continuing accurate sample concentration data). To maximize productivity and stay ahead of competition, bioanalytical scientists continuously invent, reinvent, and implement processes and techniques that generate more accurate and better quality reports with fewer resources (labor, time, capital, energy, and consumable goods). These continuous optimizations of laboratory operations drove the bioanalytical laboratories to begin... 

Laboratory mineral sieves, 16 615-616 Laboratory notebook elements of, 18 170 record of invention and, 18 168—170 sample page from, 18 169 Laboratory performance, tracking, 21 164 Laboratory reports, 12 91 Laboratory results, communicating, 21 164 Laboratory testing, quality control and,... 

Potentially, fluorimetry is valuable in every laboratory performing chemical analyses where the prime requirements are selectivity and... 

Biology and biochemistry laboratories perform three general types of assays ... 

From the available literature it becomes clear that method evaluation studies do not surpass the level of within-laboratory performances. Although several of these (see Table 3.3.1) reveal satisfactory levels of quality and environmentally relevant limits of detection, a genuine quality assurance of these methods is still lacking. There are no reports of interlaboratory studies and certified reference materials for surfactants are not available on the market yet. It can therefore be concluded that there remains much to be done in the field of improving and evaluating quality of analytical measurements of surfactants in biota. 

Given the possibility of participating in interlaboratory studies, a laboratory s own methods should be subjected to such trials. Taking this all into account, interlaboratory studies provide an important tool to assess and improve laboratory performance [1,2]. 

Six sets of results from five laboratories were obtained for the analyses of NPEO in three cartridges. All laboratories used MS for quantitative analysis, except laboratory 5, which used LC-FL. Laboratory 1 used an LC with an APCI interface laboratories 2 and 4 used LC-ESI-MS and laboratory 3 used FIA-MS analysis. All laboratories performed three independent replicate analyses, i.e. analysed three replicate cartridges of each type of spike. 

During phase III the analytical laboratory performs systematic methods validation and continues with product characterization. A suitable formulation or a formulation candidate is in place and testing for stability continues. Production evaluates the consistency of the manufacturing process, which should be at a scale capable of delivering commercial quantities. Advanced studies are continued or initiated to evaluate chronic toxicology and reproductive side effects in animal models. Parallel to phase III studies, preparations are made for the submission of the BLA. 

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