Configure Analyte Schemes

This activity is a continuation of the process to configure analyte schemes. It provides a general overview of analyte scheme configuration—whether by editing an existing scheme or adjusting a newly created scheme—to help you understand their structure and function.

The first part of this process—to complete the initial fields in the analyte scheme—is described in Create Analyte Schemes.

This activity describes how to configure the remaining fields, including whether the scheme is numeric or calculated, setting limits (if applicable) and adjusting decimal places.

For help with complex configurations, please contact AssayNet Support.

Activity Steps

  1. Create Analyte Schemes.
  2. Under the Analyte Scheme Type field group, select the corresponding analyte scheme type from:
    • Numeric Value—The result must be entered as a number, either manually or imported from an instrument. Only implicit calculations will be performed on the result. These implicit calculations include weight, moisture, and volume corrections, dilution corrections, unit conversions, instrument run corrections (such as position-based drift correction), and additive numeric corrections.
    • Calculated Value—When the implicit calculations offered by the numeric type are insufficient, calculated schemes allow you to create a formula using a calculator-style interface. For example, [Total Fe] = [Fe2+] + [Fe3+]. These formulas can include results from other analyses in other instrument runs. They can also use conditional processing to evaluate different scenarios. For more information, see Configure Calculated Analyte Schemes.
    • Character Data—Displayed directly in the final result with no processing. The exact value entered appears on results and report screens. Character data schemes are useful for sub-contracted analyses where the external lab has formatted the results, and the value should be rendered exactly as entered.

    • User Defined—The user can enter specific numeric or non-numeric data values, creating a drop-down menu for the scheme. This allows you to select the appropriate value for all samples assigned to the analyte scheme.

      Note: For questions about other available types, contact AssayNet Support.

  3. In the Options field group, select the following fields as required:
    • Calculate Initial Measurement—If checked, AssayNet factors in the initial weight of the sample recorded in the laboratory job.
    • Calculate Final Measurement—If checked, AssayNet factors in the final volume of the sample recorded in the laboratory job.

      Note: When both of the above options are enabled, AssayNet LIMS can calculate the final concentration raw result by multiplying it by the initial weight and dividing it by the final volume.

    • Calculate Dilution—If checked, AssayNet LIMS factors in the instrument dilution.
    • Show Sample Level—If checked, AssayNet LIMS displays the final result at the sample level in the Result Summary screen on the Instrument Run page. Typically, only final results display on this screen. For more information, see View and Approve Results.
    • Show Analysis Level—If checked, AssayNet LIMS displays the final result at the sample level in the Result Summary screen on the Instrument Run page. Typically, all results display on this screen.
    • Use for QC—If checked, the analyte scheme is used for QC calculations.
    • Check for QC—If checked, the analyte scheme becomes available as an option for pulling data into the Excel Add-In Control Charts feature.
    • Cascade Approval—If checked, the approval applies at other levels; for example, if you hold a result at the sample level then it is also put on hold at the analysis level.
    • Use for Statistics—If checked, the analyte scheme is used for statistical purposes.
    • Active—The analyte scheme is active.
    • Is Accredited—For accredited laboratories. If checked, the schemes can be shown as accredited schemes in final reports.

      Note: Aggregate Behaviour can be left as default; it will use the Analysis Code configuration. For more information, see Configure Calculation Options for Analysis Codes.

  4. In the Display Format field group, select how the result for the analyte displays from:
    • Fixed Decimal Places—If checked, the result displays with the set number of decimal places.
      1. Enter the Fixed Decimal Places.
    • Integers—If checked, the result displays as a whole number.
    • Significant Figures—If checked, the precision can be set for results that are either away from or near the detection limit.
      1. Enter the Significant Figures—Number of significant figures for results away from the low detection limit.
      2. Enter At low Limit—Set the number of significant figures for results near or at the low limit.
  5. In the Scale-up field group:

    1.   Select Scale-up, if checked you can specify units and a value to automatically update the result units when the concentration exceeds the entered value. The units automatically change the to the scale-up unit.

      The fields enable.

      1. Select the Unit.
      2. Enter the Value—The user-specified threshold value.
  6. To enter the various limits for the analyte scheme:
    1. In the Limits table, click Add.

      The Add Limit screen displays.

    2. Select the Limit—The limit type; for example, Detection Limit, Over-range, or Method Limit. For more information, see Create and Configure Limits.
    3. If the Hard Limit (do not report outside limit), Fixed Limit (report the method limit only), or no option is selected in the Options category group of the Edit Limit screen, enter the following as required:
      • Instrument Limit—Required value for the limit.
      • Reporting Limit—How the result is reported.

        Note: When no value is entered in the Reporting Limit box (not required), the value entered in the Instrument Limit box is used in the report.

    4. If Method Limit (calculate at Analysis Level) is selected in the Options category group of the Edit Limit screen, enter the following as required:
      • Method Limit—The method limit refers to a single limit value that represents the overall reporting threshold for a particular analyte-method combination. Unlike instrument limits (which may vary by instrument or run), the method limit is standardized at the analysis level and used consistently across results.
  7. To enter a correction value:

    Note: Corrections are subtracted from the result during calculation.

    1. In the Correction table, click Add.

      The Add Limit screen displays.

    2. Select A correction in the Correction field.
    3. Enter the Correction Value.
    4. Enter the Limit Value—The value at which the correction is applied.
  8. Click OK.
  9. To clone an analyte scheme:

    Note: When the new analyte scheme is similar to an existing scheme (for example, same analysis method), you can use the Clone button to duplicate it.

    1. Select the Analyte Scheme with similar characteristics.
    2. Click Clone.

      The new analyte scheme is created with the same name as the original, followed by a number in parentheses.

    3. Select the new scheme and click Edit.
    4. See Create Analyte Schemes for how to edit the cloned scheme.

      Note: The only field that must be unique is the Scheme Code.

    Note: Blank Correction and Std Correction options can be left as None (default).

  10. To configure Calculated Value, see Configure Calculated Analyte Schemes.