Add a Laboratory Template

The Laboratory Job Template is a structured and efficient solution designed to streamline pre-analysis setup in the laboratory. This tool enables users to create a standardized template that includes all necessary samples and quality control components for analysis. It allows users to define the number of replicates, specify their positions, and allocate QC materials within the batch, ensuring consistency and accuracy in all pre-analysis processes. By eliminating the hassle of manually creating a structured template each time, this tool enhances efficiency, reduces errors, and improves workflow standardization in the laboratory.

The laboratory job template is assigned to an analysis code, and each analysis code is linked to a laboratory job, allowing the system to match the appropriate laboratory job template to the laboratory job and initiate the pre-analysis process.

This activity describes how to create a new laboratory job template, including all available options for adding samples and quality control components. It also covers different ways to arrange the position of quality control components within the template.

Activity Steps

  1. On the Profile ribbon tab, click Laboratory Job Templates.

    The Analysis Template screen displays.

  2. Click New.

    The Add Template screen displays.

  3. Complete the following fields as required:

    • Name—A unique name. If the name already exists, an error message displays indicating the name is duplicated.

    • Description

    • Analysis Code—Select the analysis code that corresponds to the template.

    • Keep QC Samples Apart—Ensures QC samples are spaced apart within the template for better distribution.

    • No QC Samples in First Row—Prevents QC samples from being placed in the first row of the template.

    • No QC Samples in Last Row—Restricts QC samples from being assigned to the last row of the template.

    • Use Prep Template Tray Breaks—Applies the same tray break from the prep template.

    • Link Racks to Trays—Associates specific sample racks with designated trays.

  4. Click OK.

  5. To create the template structure:

    1. Select the Template Name and click Setup.

      The Analysis Template screen displays, with the template name and the assigned analysis code on the top left corner.

    2. To add samples to the template:

      1. Set the Analysis Type to Sample to define sample positions in the template. These samples come from the sample batch and are inserted into the lab job template as Sample 1, Sample 2, and so on.
      2. Click the Add Analysis icon to add the sample to the template builder.
      3. Repeat steps b 1-2 to add more samples.
    3. To add sample duplicates:
      1. Set the Analysis Type to Duplicate.
      2. In the template builder, click the column to the right of the Line column to select the sample for which you want to enter a duplicate.
      3. Click the Add Analysis icon to add the sample to the template.
      4. Repeat steps c 1-3 to add additional client sample duplicates.
    4. To add the rest of the quality control components:
      1. Set the Analysis Type to Standard, Spike or Blank.
      2. Select the Type field for standards and choose the standard name. For spikes, select the spike name. No specific selection is needed for blanks, as they are a single type of blank standard.
      3. In the template builder, click the column to the right of Line column to select the row after you want to add the quality control.
      4. Click the Add Analysis icon to add the quality control to the template.
      5. Repeat steps d 1-4 to add additional quality controls.

  6. To change the position of quality control components in the list:

    1. In the template builder, click the column to the right of the Line column to select the row you want to move up or down.

    2. Click the Move Up or Move Down icon to move the quality control.

      Note: Although the duplicate sample can be moved up or down in the list, it remains tied to the original sample selected when the duplicate was added. For further details on rearranging the position of the quality control components, see Configure and Manage Quality Control in the Laboratory Job Template.

  7. Click Close.

  8. To clone an existing template:

    Note: An existing laboratory job template can be cloned when its structure is similar to the new template.

    1. Select the Template Name with the similar structure.

    2. Click Clone.

      The Edit Template screen displays.

    3. Update the fields as required. You must enter a different Template Name for the new template.

    4. Click OK.

  9. To delete a template, you must first remove all existing samples and quality control components from the Analysis Template screen.

    1. Click Setup.

    2. The Analysis Template screen displays.

    3. Click the Remove All icon to remove everything from the template builder.

    4. Click Close.

    5. Click Remove.