View and Approve Results

After results from an instrument are loaded back into AssayNet LIMS, they can be validated to determine the next steps: either approving the samples and generating reports or sending the samples for retesting. For more information about retesting, see Configure a Sample Retest. The activity describes how to update final result calculations; how to view all QC results and related information, including their accepted values; and how to hold sample results to send for retest.

This activity assumes that the results have already been successfully loaded into the AssayNet LIMS Instrument Runs Data screen. For more information, see Import Instrument Run Data.

Activity Steps

On the Job Book screen, click Instrument Runs.
Locate and select the Run ID.
Alternatively, use any of the previous pages of the AssayNet LIMS to locate and select either the corresponding Batch Code or the Job Number.
1. Click Working View and locate and select the Run ID.
Click the Data command button.
The Data Capture screen displays the raw results of the instrument run.
Review the data. If you need to change the data, see Import Instrument Run Data.
Click the Results command button.
The Results Summary screen is displayed at the Samples level under DetailsAll.
You can also access the Results Summary from the Instrument Result page, by clicking Result.
Click the Update command button.
The results for all client samples display at Level Samples and Detail All, which is the default view when the Results Summary opens. To view all available analysis results, including those for quality control components, go to the next step.
Note: If the results have already been updated (the system calculates final results in the background) and the correct values are displayed, click Go instead of Update. This prevents the results being updated again and avoids background calculations that may take additional time to process.
To view the samples with their quality control results:
1. Set Level to Analyses.
2. Set Detail to <All>.
To view and validate the targets on quality control components
1. Set Level to Analyses.
2. Set Detail to QC Samples.
  Note: The QC results view at this level displays the percentage difference between the found value and the accepted value.
3. To view more details on QC validation, such as the accepted value and control limits:
  1. Right-click the result and select View QC.
    The View QC screen displays with the QC type, result and allowable variance.
  2. Click Close.
To approve results:
1. On the Results Summary screen, click the Approve command button.
  The Approve Results screen displays.
  Note: AssayNet LIMS can issue warnings about QC failure. If an alert is set, the Data Validation Error screen indicates the QC type, Sample ID, the Result and the Limits. To continue with the approval, a comment is required to acknowledge the compliance issue. To set the alert when a quality control component is outside the accepted range, the Verify QC Before Approval option in the Analysis Code must be selected.
2. To accept QC failure in the Data Validation screen:
  1. Double-click the QC.
    The frm_RunQCEdit screen displays.
  2. Enter a Comment.
  3. Repeat steps b 1-2 to accept all QC failures.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Close the Data Validation Error screen.
3. On the Approve Results screen:
  1. Select the Approval Level; for example, Tech1.
    Note: The approval level required for this analysis code can be modified in the Instrument Run Options category within the Analysis Code settings to require a higher approval level. When a higher approval level is required, the approval process must follow a cascade approach, meaning the lower-level approval must be completed first before proceeding to the next level. Tech 1 is the lowest approval level in the hierarchy.
    The approval level you can add depends on the Approval Level on the Personnel list for all users.
  2. Click Add.
    The Approve Results screen displays.
  3. Update the following files as required.
    Note: The selected options are default for every instrument run and should be left selected in most cases. Contact AssayNet support for more information.
    1. Date Approve
    2. Update QC Results Database—Synchronizes the latest QC results into the database.
    3. Update Status using Triggers—Automatically updates the status of tasks or samples based on predefined triggers.
    4. Export Results for Projects—Extracts results and organizes them for integration into specific project files.
    5. Send Notifications—Sends alerts or updates to designated recipients regarding the status of runs or results.
    6. Approve All Runs—Approves all pending runs. This option is not default.
  4. Click OK.
    AssayNet LIMS updates the result cells on the Results Summary screen. Green cells indicate that the results are within set limits. Red cells indicate that the results are outside set limits. The results are ready for export.
  5. Alternatively, right-click and select Approve from the menu to approve results individually.
    Note: Samples that have been mistakenly held can be released by approving each sample individually.
To remove approvals:

Note: AssayNet LIMS operates in a pyramid-like structure, where the first and last stages are interconnected. To delete a record from one page in LIMS, all associated records must first be deleted in reverse order, from the most recent stage back to the initial stage. If the results are approved, the instrument run cannot be deleted, and the results cannot be modified in the Data Capture screen. To make changes or delete the run, you must first remove the approval from the results at each approval level.
1. Click Approve.
  
  The Approve Results screen displays, displaying a list of all Approval Levels that have been approved for this instrument run.
2. Select the Approval Level and click Remove.
  
  Note: When a higher approval level has been approved, you must first delete the higher level before removing the lower approval level.
To hold a sample for retest.

Note: Held samples are not exported with the rest of the results.
1. Right-click the sample result and select Hold from the menu.
  
  Note: The menu to hold a sample only displays at the level of Samples or Analysis.
  
  The result cell is highlighted in red.
To flag a sample:

Note: Flagged samples can be easily identified, and one of the available options for retesting is to send flagged samples for retest. You can flag a sample directly in the Results Summary screen, allowing for a quick and efficient selection when initiating a retest.
1. Right-click the sample ID and select Flag from the menu.
  
  The Line column cell high in yellow.
To create sample retest, see Configure a Sample Retest and Create a Sample Retest.
To export results:
1. Click Export.
  
  Note: AssayNet LIMS offers multiple methods for exporting results. Exports can be made to Excel spreadsheets, either by generating a new file or updating an existing one. Results can also be saved as CSV or text files to a network location. Additionally, results can be uploaded directly to customer databases, such as Acquire or GEMCOM. Another option is to generate a final report and email it as a PDF or Excel file. The project assigned to the sample batch from which the instrument run(s) were created determines the pre-defined export method.
  
  The export can be performed from the Sample Batches or Instrument Run pages. When the Client Project is configured to export from the Instrument Run page, the results for the samples in the run can be exported into a client-specific format Excel file or a general Excel file displaying all the information available in the Results Summary page.
2. To export results into a client-formatted Excel file:
  1. Click Export.
    
    The Export Sample Batch screen displays.
  2. Select Project Export and click OK.
    
    The AssayNet Report Module screen displays.
  3. Click Save.
    
    The Select File screen displays in your computer's file explorer.
  4. Select the location in which to save the file.
  5. Click Save.