Create and Configure Limits

AssayNet LIMS allows laboratories to define and manage analytical limits that guide how results are interpreted and reported. These limits must be created by the laboratory according to instrument capabilities and reporting standards.

The AssayNet LIMS comes pre-configured with a basic detection limit setup. By default, values reported at or below the detection limit display with a < symbol followed by the limit value input — for example, <0.01. This default behavior applies per analyte scheme and can be adjusted as needed. For more information, see Configure Analyte Schemes.

You can update how limits display, change propagation or aggregation behavior, and create additional limit types (for example, high limits, over-range limits, custom qualifiers) to suit specific workflows.

This activity describes how to create a new analytical limit and configure the options governing how the limit behaves in the analysis and how results that trip the limit display.

Activity Steps

  1. On the Profile ribbon tab, under the Analysis group, click Limits.

    The Limits screen displays.

  2. Click New.

    The Edit Limit screen displays.

  3. Complete the following fields as required:
    • Limit Name—Unique identifier for the limit. This name displays when adding the limits in the analyte schemes.
    • Symbol—The value shown in the result field when a test result trips the defined limit. While this field accepts both numeric and text values, it is often used for a text label or code to help interpret the result. A maximum of 4 characters is allowed.
    • Qualifier—A prefix, such as a symbol, that displays before the numeric limit value when reported. Common qualifiers include < for results below a detection limit and > for results above a high limit. A maximum of 1 character is allowed.

      Note: You can select how the limit displays using either the Symbol or Qualifier options in the Limit Display category group.

  4. In the Limit Type category group, select from:
    • High—Indicates that the limit acts as a ceiling. The limit fires when the result is above the specified value (for example, upper detection limit).
    • Low—Indicates that the limit acts as a floor. The limit fires when the result is below the specified value (for example, lower detection limit).
  5. In the Aggregation category group, select from:
    • Include all—All sub-sample results are considered in the final result, even if some trip the limit.
    • Exclude limits—Sub-samples that trip the limit are excluded from the aggregation; all others are included.
    • Exclude all—If any sub-sample trips the limit, none of the sub-sample results are used in the final aggregation.

  6. In the Propagation category group, select from:

    • None—The limit has no effect on subsequent calculations; all aliquot results are used regardless of limit status.
    • One Result—Only the first result is considered for propagation, whether it trips the limit or not.
    • All Results—All results are propagated, but those that trip the limit may affect how the aggregate is flagged or calculated depending on the aggregation setting.

  7. In the Options category group, select from:

    • Hard Limit (do not report outside limit)—Do not report results outside the defined limit. When selected, AssayNet LIMS prompts you to enter both Instrument Limit and Reporting Limit. The result is only reported if it falls within the specified range.
    • Fixed Limit (report the method limit only)—Report the method limit value only. If selected, AssayNet LIMS prompts you to enter both Instrument Limit and Reporting Limit, but only the reporting limit displays in results (for example, always <0.01).
    • Method Limit (calculate at Analysis Level)—Calculate and apply a single limit at the analysis level. Only the Method Limit value is entered. LIMS uses this value as the method limit across related analyses.

      Note: When no option is selected, AssayNet LIMS prompts for both Instrument Limit and Reporting Limit. The system interprets the instrument limit as the operational threshold and the reporting limit as the value used for result display or qualifiers.

  8. In the Limit Display category group, select from:
    • Show Symbol Only
    • Show Qualifier and Numeric Value
    • Show Symbol only for Undiluted Samples
  9. Click OK.