Configure and Manage Quality Control in the Laboratory Job Template

Laboratory Jobs in AssayNet LIMS can be structured to accommodate all samples and quality control components according to analysis requirements and client specifications. This includes defining how final results should be displayed, determining the necessary quality control, and setting the order of components. Laboratory Job Templates offer flexibility, allowing users to structure samples and QC components as needed. The simplest approach described in Add a Laboratory Template involves adding samples and QC components to a template and adjusting their order within the laboratory job.

While this method works for many analyses, it has limitations. For example, if quality control standards must always appear at the end, but the number of received samples varies, they may not be correctly positioned. In such cases, more advanced options allow for dynamic organization, ensuring QC standards consistently appear at the desired location. This activity describes additional options for reordering quality control samples in complex operations and also options to restrict them from showing in specific rows when required.

Additionally, when QC needs to be updated, one available option allow you to replace the existing QC while retaining all other settings.

Note: You can also apply the same options to the samples in the templates; however, they are most commonly used for QC samples to effectively meet operational quality control requirements.

Activity Steps

On the Profile ribbon tab, click Laboratory Job Templates.

The Analysis Template screen displays.
You can Add a Laboratory Template or configure an existing one.
Select the template and click Setup.

The Analysis Template screen displays.
To apply offset options to the quality control components dynamically:

Note: The additional option to dynamically organize QC samples (including duplicates) allows them to be positioned relative to either the beginning or the end of the laboratory job. To ensure QC samples consistently appear in the desired location, they should be placed in a fixed position within the template—such as the first few rows (e.g., positions 1, 2, and 3)—which are always present regardless of the number of samples. From there, more detailed settings can be used to dynamically offset their position.
1. Click the column to the right of the Line column to select the QC for which you want to dynamically change the position.
2. Click the Edit Analysis icon.
  
  The Edit Template Aliquot screen displays, showing name of the sample being edited in the top-left corner and within the Aliquot Position category.
3. Select from the following in the Options category group:
  - Randomize—Randomizes the position of the QC sample with every new laboratory job created.
  - Keep with Prev—Ensures the current QC sample remains grouped with the previous one.
  - Auto Advance—Moves up one position with every new laboratory job created.
4. To offset the QC position dynamically, select one of the following options from Offset category group. Enter the required number in the corresponding fields. To offset QC samples from the end, use negative numbers.
  - None
  - From current position
  - From beginning of rack
  - From end of rack
  - From beginning of lab job
  - From end of lab job
To apply position restrictions:
1. Click the Restrictions category.
  
  The Restrictions options display.
2. Select from the following fields in the Restrict Racks category group. The rack lines display in the preparation sheet of Sample Batches. For more information, see Set Up the Preparation Sheet.
  - None
  - First rack only
  - Last rack only
  - Exclude first rack
  - Exclude last rack
3. To restrict samples from being displayed in specific rows:
  1. Enter From which row To which row.
  2. Select Exclude QC Samples. If selected, the AssayNet LIMS excludes any other QC to be created from the same sample. For example, you can apply these restrictions to a sample that includes a duplicate in the template. In this case, any additional QC sample, such as a preparation duplicate, is not applied to the sample.
To apply more options:
1. Click the Aliquot Options category.
  
  The Aliquot Options display.
  1. Enter a Target Measurement weight specific to the sample.
  2. Enter a Tag. Allows you to tag the sample as needed, with the tag displayed in the Tag column in the laboratory job.
  3. Enter a Label. Updates the label ID.
To replace a QC sample:

Note: After adjusting the QC to dynamically display in the desired position consistently, this option ensures those settings are maintained when updating the QC in the template. The replacement option allows for replacing the QC with a new one—whether due to changes in analysis conditions or the need to use a newly created QC when the previous one is no longer available. Additionally, if two or more QCs are interchangeable based on analysis conditions, all required QCs can be kept in the list. The active QC is the one displayed in the first position on the list.
1. Click the Replacements category.
  
  The Replacements options display.
2. Select the Type and Standard for the new QC.
3. Click the arrow pointing right to add it to the list.
  
  Note: The newly added standard is placed in the first position by default and is the active QC displayed in the template.
4. Repeat steps b-c to add additional standards if required.
5. To remove the standard from the list, select a standard and click the arrow pointing to the left.
6. To make a standard in the list active, select it and use the Move Analysis Up or Move Analysis Down icons, ensuring the desired standard is place in the first position.
Click OK.