Laboratory performance evaluation

Concentration and Recovery of Solutes. The RO method was evaluated by using small-scale concentrations and selected model organic solutes. Similar concentrations were performed by other researchers by using alternate sampling methods as part of a comparison study. The concentration provided a 50-fold volume reduction (500 L down to 10 L). Field applications of the RO method usually involve sample volumes of 2000-8000 L. No steps were taken to condition membranes and equipment prior to the laboratory tests. This laboratory performance evaluation was conducted, in many respects, as a worst case exercise. 

To establish a standard for data comparability, the EPA conducts laboratory performance evaluation (PE) studies that include common environmental pollutants. Results of the studies are statistically evaluated, and the derived acceptance criteria establish a standard for interlaboratory data comparability. These studies, however,... 

Laboratory performance evaluation systems are being designed and developed (11) to help monitor and qualify the performance of laboratories in the CLP and to assist in the selection of... 

Homsher, M. T. Olivero, R. A. Robertson, G. L. Moore, J. M. Fisk, J. F., Development of an Expert System for the Analysis of Laboratory Performance Evaluation Data, In Proc. 3rd Annual Lockheed Artificial Intelligence and Strategic Computing Svmp.. Houston, Texas, 1987. 

Ng WY, Tiong CC, Jacob E (2010) Maltose interference-lree test strips for blood glucose testing at point-of-caie a laboratory performance evaluation. Diabetes Technol Ther 12 (ll) 889-893... 

All the analytical data are from the same laboratory consequently, interlaboratory analytical variation is not a factor. The intralaboratory variation for that laboratory was 9.1 percent (i.e., the relative standard deviation based on repetitive analyses of performance evaluation samples). 

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]). 

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. 

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. 

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. 

B90103 NPDES Compliance Monitoring Inspector Training Laboratory Analysis 800R94004 Office of Water Performance Evaluation Study Project Final Report... 

Experiments were conducted in our laboratory to evaluate many of the dynamical expectations for rapid laser heating of metals. One of the aims of this work was to identify those population distributions which were characteristic of thermally activated desorption processes as opposed to desorption processes which were driven by nontbennal energy sources. Visible and near-infrared laser pulses of nominally 10 ns duration were used to heat the substrate in a nonspecific fashion. Initial experiments were performed by Burgess etal. for the laser-induced desorption of NO from Pt(foil). Operating with a chamber base pressure 2 x 10 torr and with the sample at 200 K, initial irradiation of a freshly cleaned and dosed sample resulted in a short time transient (i.e. heightened desorption yield) followed by nearly steady state LID signals. The desorption yields slowly decreased with time due to depletion of the adsorbate layer at the rate of ca. 10 monolayer... 

Performance evaluations of the reference method Documentation regarding routine QC of reference laboratory methods can be very relevant for model evaluation, if the methods were used to generate reference (y) data for model development. 

The laboratoiy shall plan and establish processes to listen to the voice of customer and other interested parties and cooperate with them in order to anticipate future needs. Such information should be collected, analysed and used for improving the laboratoiy performance. Measurements of customer satisfaction as well as personnel satisfaction (within the laboratoiy) are vital for the evaluation of laboratory performance. 

The PT provider has to assure that the changes in the samples are negligible and do not affect the evaluation of the laboratory performance. 

The organiser has to ensure that the changes due to instability do not significantly affect the evaluation of the laboratories performance... 

Clinical evaluation is not appropriate for IVDs but a procedure is specified for performance evaluation studies in clinical laboratories or in other appropriate environments outside the manufacturer s premises (Annex Vlll). Manufacturers who place devices on the market imder their... 

External Quality Control and Accreditation Participation in PT schemes is an objective means of evaluating the reliability of the data produced by a laboratory. Another form of external assessment of the laboratory performance is the physical inspection of the laboratory to ensure that it complies with externally imposed standards. Accreditation of the laboratory indicates that it is applying the required... 

While the provision of suitably validated analytical methods is a necessary requirement for ensuring compliance with MRLs, the method alone is not sufficient to ensure creditable analytical measurements. In addition to selecting suitable methods, the analyst must demonstrate that the method is operating under statistical control in the laboratory and is performed to meet performance specifications as required by the analytical problem. This means that all methods should be applied in an environment with appropriate quality assurance procedures and performance evaluation checks. 

Interlaboratory Quality Control. In addition to the mandatory quality control practices just outlined, the laboratory is encouraged to participate in interlaboratory programs such as relevant performance evaluation (PE) studies, analysis of standard reference materials, and split sample analyses. Participation in interlaboratory analytical method validation studies is also encouraged. 

In the last entry in Table III more than 50 samples were extracted in an experiment surveying the performance of laboratory robotic equipment. These included 2.0 gram samples of soils extracted with pure C02,2.5 gram samples of a reverse phase material extracted with C02 and mixtures of C02 with various modifiers, 2.0 gram samples of ground coffee plus aliquots of modifiers dispersed on the samples within the sample thimble extracted with pure CO and 20 microliter aliquots of performance evaluation standard (PES, octadecane in isooctane) on simple matrices extracted with pure C02. The variety of analytes and complex matrices along with the number of different runs clearly show that the instrumentation is reliable. 

Kurume Laboratory (2001a) Final report, Bioconcentration test of 2-perfluoroalkyl (C = 4 - 14) ethanol [This test was performed using 2-(perfluorooctyl)-ethanol (test substance number K-1518)] in carp. Kurume Laboratory, Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute, Japan. EPA Docket AR226-1276... 

The EPA recommends that the control limits of 70-130 percent be used as interim acceptance criteria until the laboratory develops its own limits (EPA, 1996a). In reality, not every laboratory evaluates their analytical precision and accuracy statistically many rely on the EPA guidance or choose control limits arbitrarily. The typical arbitrary control limits are 50-150 percent these limits are sufficiently wide to encompass the recoveries of most organic analytes. As a rule, the control limits of 65-135 percent reflect the typical laboratory accuracy for most organic analytes for metals these limits are 75-125 percent. The arbitrary control limits do not reflect the actual laboratory performance and their routine use is an unacceptable laboratory... 

At present no MS manufacturer can offer complete solutions that meet the high analytical demands of a routine laboratory performing LC-MS/MS analytes. None of the mass spectrometers, let alone the complex LC-MS/MS instrument combination, is certified according to the in vitro diagnostic directive (IVDD) 98/79/EC of the European Community ( CE certified ) or FDA approved. Generally there is no bidirectional connection of the MS control and evaluation software to the laboratory s electronic data processing. The use of self-generated scripts for the transmission of work lists to the MS or for retransmission of the measured values continues to be common practice. With few exceptions (IVD-CE certified assays by some providers) the manufacture of consumables (mobile solvents, precipitants) is still in the hands of the local laboratory. 

The other primary component of the study was the development of laboratory performance measures, focusing on three primary factors quality, quantity and response time. The most sensitive performance measure was quality, which refers primarily to analytical controls built into a laboratory operation and provisions for preserving the integrity of the evidence and reports. A "performance index" was developed which should enable any laboratory to undertake its own evaluation and to predict the impact of proposed improvements to the laboratory prior to their actual implementation. 

Crime laboratory operations of high quality are candidates for such evaluations. As described earlier, the Institute has funded research projects to develop candidate management evaluation techniques. Such measures should be very helpful to all crime laboratories in evaluating their performance and effectiveness. These measures have already been tested in three sites and baseline data have been collected for a period of several months in these same locations. 

Stoots, C.M. (2005), Engineering Process Model for High-temperature Electrolysis System Performance Evaluation, Idaho National Laboratory, June. 

In the presence of an OPCW Laboratory representative, the sample preparation laboratory prepares the test samples and blanks, packs, and eventually dispatches a set to each participant in the test, including one to the evaluating laboratory and to the OPCW Laboratory. On receipt of the samples, the participants have two weeks to analyze the samples and to report their results to the OPCW Laboratory. In the same period, both the assisting laboratories and the OPCW Laboratory perform an analysis on the samples too these analyses are performed to confirm uniformity of the sample composition and to identify any impurities and degradation/reaction-products in the test samples that could be reported by the participants, in addition to the selected spiking chemicals. 

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