5.5 How To bring an instrument back on line after failing QC

Invalid Instrument warnings

Once an instrument has failed QC, warnings are displayed in contexts where they are of importance, e.g. open Worksheets the instrument is assigned to

Fix the Instrument

The failing instrument must be fixed and tested with more reference samples before it can be used again. It is best to record all results from the instrument while it is being validated by capturing them on 'calibration' worksheets. Once valid, in-range QC results are confirmed in the LIMS, it'll be available for routine testing again

It can be kept offline longer by recording the Validation procedure, as with other Maintenance tasks, in more detail on the Instrument records themselves and the eventual calibration certificate too. Only when that event is completed will the instrument be back for routine use

Calibration Worksheets

Create a Worksheet for Instrument Calibration

It is useful and a good idea to keep Templates for this purpose, as selecting control samples for an empty worksheet manually is problematic - it is not clear to the LIMS which Analyses valid control samples have to be found for

As a workaround, a dummy sample and the analyses to be QC'd can be added to the WS first. The LIMS will then offer all relevant QC samples in stock to select from. Select and add

Using a Worksheet Template:

Select a Template and click Add

In this example, a worksheet with only two Blank Controls in it is created

Submit Reference Sample results

Capture all results as they come in, adding more reference Samples or Worksheets as required

Save, Submit and Verify the QC results

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Also see Quality Control in Bika

Capturing QC results 

QC Failure Workflow

For full record keeping, capture results failing QC too, until the instrument delivers valid results consistently

Pass, and the warnings re uncalibrated instruments are removed

All Set

When the instrument clears this hurdle, it is ready to go again

Recovered Instruments are back online and can be used on subsequent Worksheets, and on others quarantined earlier

New routine Worksheet