Reference Definitions
Specifications for reference standards are applied as templates, Reference Definitions, to create new reference standard samples when new lots are acquired
Purpose of Reference Definitions
Reference Definitions save users the effort of having to enter the Reference Samples' specifications every time a new ones are opened, improving turn-around and reducing opportunity for human error
Using a Reference Definitions pre-populates the Reference Sample's specification as they would apply to inhouse prepared stocks or available from specialised suppliers
NB. It is advisable to always use Reference Definitions for creating Reference Samples - they are used on Worksheet Templates to identify available reference material suitable for the Analyses on the sheet
Create and Maintain Reference Definitions
Navigate to Reference Definitions in the Setup, add a new or edit an existing one
Complete the compulsory Title field with a meaningful name and supply a Description. If the definition is for a 'Blank', check the Blank check-box - this is required for WS Template look-ups
Check the Hazardous check-box if applicable
Valid range
Select which analyses the definition can be used as a template for by checking the corresponding boxes on the definition's Valid range tab
Enter the expected results for the Reference Sample and the % error to be tolerated before 'out of range' alerts will be raised to analysts. Corresponding minimum and maximum values will be calculated by the system upon saving the Definition
If the minimum and maximum values are not determined by a percentage, capture them directly
How to use Reference Definitions
When a new batch of reference samples arrive at the lab and then taken up in the LIMS, the Reference definition it adheres to is used as template to create the reference sample record
The Reference Sample inherits the Definition's specification and can then be edited and given expiry dates, batch IDs, etc. before being saved
Navigate as lab manager to Reference Suppliers in the the Bika Setup, open the supplier's folder where the reference sample was obtained from, and create the Reference Sample record there. The Reference Samples so created are eventually used in quality management procedures on Worksheets
Control Charts
These are eventually graphed per individual Reference Sample (lots) - per Analyte and Instrument