Set up QC Analysis Code Options

This activity describes the steps to configure the Q.C. Options section of the Analysis Code screen. These options are critical for setting up and managing Quality Control (QC) processes such as replicates, prep splits, prep QC samples, and method blanks. These configurations directly affect how the system handles control limits, acceptable variation, and other QC metrics. The QC parameters are specific to each analysis code.

For a comprehensive understanding of the background calculations performed by the AssayNet LIMS to derive the control limit for replicates, prep splits, prep QC samples, and method blanks, see QC Calculations.

Control limits for other QC materials are set up in their respective screens. For detailed information on configuring control limits for other QC materials, please refer to their respective topics.

Activity Steps

  1. In the Profile ribbon tab, click Analysis Code.

    The Analysis Codes screen displays.

  2. To update QC options:

    1. Select the Code.

    2. Click Setup » Options.

      The Edit Analysis Code screen displays.

    3. In the Category field group, click Q.C. Options.

      The Q.C. Options fields display.

  3. To use prep split:

    1. Select Show Prep Splits from the Prep Splits field group. For more information, see Add Sample Splits.

      The fields become editable.

      1. Select whether to Use Code for QC. If checked, the analysis code is used for the QC.

      2. Enter values for the following fields as required:

        • Variance at Low Limit %—This is the maximum allowable percentage variance when the concentration is at the detection limit. Defined as DLvar in the formula defined in QC Calculations.

        • Variance at x Low Limit—Represents a multiplier that adjusts the allowable variance as concentrations increase. The parameter scales the detection limit by a factor to calculate a new threshold for higher concentrations limit.

        • Variance for N times detection limit %—Upper limit variance, this defines the maximum allowable percentage variance when the high concentration limit is N times the detection limit. Defined as ULvar.

          Note: See QC Calculations for detailed explanation of all parameters and calculations.

  4. To use prep QC samples:

    1. Select Show Prep QC Samples from the Prep QC Samples field group. For more information, see Add a Prep QC Sample.

      The fields become editable.

    2. Enter values for the following fields:
      • Variance at Low Limit %
      • Variance at x Low Limit

      • Variance for N times detection limit %

  5. To use replicates:

    Note: There are no activity for adding replicates because they are created after the same sample ID is entered twice in the laboratory job Data screen.

    Note: AssayNet LIMS calculates variance for two replicates only.

    1. Select Show Replicates from the Prep Splits field group.

      The fields become editable.

      Note: There are two calculation methods for replicates: the default method, which uses logarithmic calculations, and an alternative method, which uses the equation am^b, where a and b are values you enter on this screen. For more information, see QC Calculations.

    2. To use the default calculation method, enter values for the following fields:
      • Variance at Low Limit %
      • Variance at x Low Limit
      • Variance for N times detection limit %

    3. To use the alternative calculation method:

      1. Select Use am^b for precision.

        Additional fields display.

      2. Enter values for the following fields:
        • a
        • b
    4. Select the method to calculate the percentage difference between the original and the replicate concentration:
      • Std. Diff.—The formula calculates the absolute percentage difference between the original and replicate assays. For more information, see QC Calculations.
      • % RSD—Statistical measurement expressed as a percentage that describes the spread or variability of the replicate values in relation to the mean of the data set.
    5. Select whether to Use for QC. If checked, AssayNet LIMS uses the replicates for quality control.
    6. To use a custom suffix for replicates, enter the following values:
      • Original:

      • Duplicate:

        Note: The default suffix is a parenthesis with the replicate number; (1), (2).

  6. To use method blanks:

    Note: There is no activity for adding method blanks because method blanks come by default in the AssayNet LIMS and do not need to be created.

    1. Select Show Method Blanks from the Method Blanks field group.

      The fields become editable.

    2. Enter values for the following fields:
      • Variance at—The allowable control limit is the value entered times the detection limit. For more information, see QC Calculations.
      • Code—Display code for the method blank. If left blank, AssayNet LIMS uses the default method (Blank).
    3. Select the following options if required:
      • Hide in the Lab Job—The method blank is hidden from the lab job.
      • Measure 1—Whether you want the blank to be measured.
      • Measure 2—Whether you want the blank to be measured for the second measurement.
  7. To set up the rest of the parameters, see Set up Additional QC Analysis Code Options.