Using Linked Schemes to Share Racks

Overview

A linked scheme is where the same sample portion is used for one or more analytical preparation or analytical schemes.

When considering the flow of work through the laboratory, various processes are affected by linked scheme relationships.

Where QC is added to a job or laboratory batch, and the outcome of that is for the racks to be shared across job schemes. Linked job schemes share the same samples, including QC samples and rack layout.
Where job schemes are linked, then only the linked-from scheme can be opened to enter results in a weight/volume mode workbook session.
Where sample schemes are linked, when a result is entered into a linked-from sample scheme in a weight/volume mode workbook session, then that weight or volume result is propagated into any linked-to sample scheme.

Process

Establishing Linked Scheme Relationships

A linked scheme relationship involves a from-scheme and a to-scheme.

Linked schemes relationships are created between two schemes using the CCSCHM—Scheme application. Refer to Maintaining Linked Schemes for a Scheme.

When creating linked scheme relationships between master schemes, the scheme being updated becomes the from-scheme and the selected scheme becomes the to-scheme.

When establishing linked scheme relationships between master schemes, schemes can only be linked where both schemes have the same set of precursor schemes.

Analytical or analytical preparation scheme types can only be linked to precursor schemes with a scheme type of either sample preparation or analytical preparation.

Sample preparation scheme types can only be linked to a precursor scheme with a scheme type of sample preparation.

After creation of the relationship, it does not matter whether the from-scheme or to-scheme is accessed—the linked scheme relationship always displays as from-scheme and to-scheme.

Setting Linked Scheme Relationships between Sample Schemes and between Job Schemes

Job scheme and sample scheme link relationships default to the linked scheme relationships contained within the master scheme, when both schemes are registered on the job. When an org-scope scheme is registered on a lab-scope job, the master scheme used to apply linked scheme relationships is the enabled-scope scheme. In the case where the schemes are not registered on the same at the same time, then the linked scheme relationships are still built into the job and sample. Refer to Adding a Group of Samples to a Job.

When a template job is used to add schemes to a sample, the linked sample scheme relationships are inherited from the template sample instead of from the master schemes, and the linked job scheme relationships are inherited from the template job instead of from the master schemes. Refer to Registering Jobs from Template Jobs.

When a template sample is used to add schemes to a sample, the linked sample scheme relationships are inherited from the template sample instead of from the master schemes, and are established between the two job schemes if the registration caused the creation of the job schemes. Refer to Adding Samples using a Template Sample to a Job and Adding Tests using a Template Sample to a Sample.

Linked schemes can exist as a network. Where more than one job scheme link relationship is in play, that is, multiple from-schemes exist in the job, then the first job scheme, by job scheme registration sequence, is deemed the from-job-scheme. Examples:

Where a job has schemes A, B and C registered in that sequence, and linked job schemes A-->B and B-->C exist, then A is deemed the from-job-scheme.
Where a job has schemes A, B and C registered in that sequence, and linked job schemes A-->C and B-->C exist, then A is deemed the from-job-scheme as it is registered before B.
Where a job has schemes C, B and A registered in that sequence, and linked job schemes A-->C and B-->C exist, then B is deemed the from-job-scheme as it is registered before A.

Depending upon the linked scheme relationships between the job schemes, the from-job-scheme is treated as such, regardless of job scheme registration sequence.

Refer to Maintaining Job Tests and Maintaining Sample Tests to maintain linked schemes relationships between job schemes and sample schemes, respectively.

Impact of Linked Scheme Relationships between Job Schemes

When Creating QC Samples, then the job scheme link relationships denote which job schemes have the same QC samples registered in them and the same rack layout. Linked job schemes are processed, such that, the QC masks used to create QC samples for the job scheme are those on the related sample schemes of the linked-from job scheme. These QC samples are then propagated into any linked-to job scheme, and the linked-to job scheme is given the same rack layout.

QC sample additions or deletions are synchronised. Refer to Maintaining Batch Samples.

Linked sample schemes control whether weights and volumes are transferred from one sample scheme to a linked sample scheme after Locating Workbooks in Weight/Volume mode and entering a weight or volume, since linking denotes that the same aliquot is used for both schemes:

Only the first linked job scheme is allowed to be opened in Weight/Volume mode.
Sample scheme links default to the linked scheme relationships contained within the master scheme, when both schemes are registered on the sample.
When an org-scope scheme is registered on a lab-scope sample, the master scheme from where linked scheme relationships are determined is the enabled-scope scheme.

Refer to Maintaining Job Tests to maintain linked scheme relationships between job schemes.

Impact of Linked Scheme Relationships between Sample Schemes

When Entering Results into Workbook Cells, specifically to enter a value in weight-volume mode on a linked-from sample scheme, then the weight and/or volume is propagated into all linked-to sample schemes. Refer to the Conditions for Weight and Volume Propagation.