VAM principles

Issues of quality extend far beyond organizational arrangements. The analyst and the employer must both accept the equally important aspect of quality in professional skills and competences. Analysts need more help in order to learn about good laboratory practice and to work competently and professionally on a day-to-day basis within the framework of the VAM principles. This book offers analysts a new learning route to achieving these aims, and employers a convenient way to introduce quality assurance procedures. 

Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 or GLP is becoming a standard approach to creating a quality system (chapter 9). Note that accreditation, as such, is not part of the VAM principles, but it is one of alternative quality systems (see chapter 1). Like any quality system, accreditation only fulfills its purpose if implemented properly. Some laboratories have done the minimum to achieve accreditation, and then take the view that having paid for their accreditation payment of the annual fee will then suffice. This practice is evidenced when accredited laboratories perform no better in testing rounds than experienced laboratories without accreditation (see chapter 5). 

LGC (2006), The VAM Principles. Valid Analytical Measurement Programme web site, http //www.vam.org.uk/aboutvam/about principles.asp [accessed 9th October 2006]. 

The six VAM principles are said to provide a framework to enable organisations to deliver reliable results first time, every time, and achieve bottom line improvements through increased operational efficiency and reduction in risk. 

The VAM system was introduced and developed by LGC in the 1980s and describes a set of six principles designed to promote best practice and provide valid data to customers through quality programmes. The VAM principles are available through the National Measurement System Chemical and... 

VAM principles. National Measurement System Chemical and Biological Metrology Web site (www.nmschembio.org.uk). 

LGC/VAM (2000) Development and Harmonisation of Measurement Uncertainty Principles Part(d) Protocol for uncertainty evaluation from validation data, available from www.vam.org.uk... 

The Valid Analytical Measurement (VAM LGC 2005) program of the LGC (the U.K. National Measurement Institute for chemical measurements) typifies a modern approach to quality in chemical measurements. The program s six principles are a clear exposition of the important aspects of making reliable analytical measurements ... 

In this reprise of the book s contents I revisit the six principles of valid analytical measurement (VAM) so cleverly enunciated by the Laboratory of the Government Chemist. But first some words about clients and samples. 

Abstract The Valid Analytical Measurement (VAM) programme was set up by the Department of Trade and Industry as part of its support for the UK National Measurement System. This paper gives an overview of the VAM programme together with a description of the principles on which valid analytical measurement should be based. This is followed by a... 

VAM sets out six principles of good analytical practice, backed up by technical support and management guidance. 

Adoption of the principles of VAM will reduce the costs and risks associated with unreliable measurements. 

VAM Project 3.2.1, Development and Harmonisation of Measurement Uncertainty Principles. Part (d ) Protocol for Uncertainty Evaluation from Validation Data, LGCA AM/1998/088, 2000 (available at http //www. nmschembio.org.uk/GenericHub.aspx m = 33 accessed 8/10/05). 

Can you imagine going to court with results that you are not completely sure about in terms of validity and reliability Imagine the situation where you have been asked to attend the coroner s court in relation to a suspected drug overdose You are in the witness box and you are asked to confirm that your results indicate that John Doe may have died from an overdose of heroin. His family is in court and your answer is, I think so, but I can t really be sure it was heroin and I can t be sure about the amount exactly . Clearly, this answer is not acceptable and it would not take many appearances at court of this type for you to lose any credibility as an expert witness and to bring your laboratory into disrepute. In order to avoid these types of situations, it is normal for forensic laboratories to implement a set of principles that ensure that results are valid, reliable, and repeatable. This forms part of the company s overarching quality system (see Chapter 9). One of the ways in which a laboratory can ensure that measurement is valid and fit for purpose is to adopt the valid analytical measurement (VAM) system. 

Biological Metrology Web site. Not every laboratory calls its quality system a VAM system, but all credible laboratories will have a quality system in place. The six principles as described in VAM are discussed next. 

Errors cannot be totally eliminated and there will always be some level of uncertainty around measurements. By applying the principles of VAM, we can ensure that the errors and uncertainty are kept to a minimum and accounted for in our final results. 

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