The complete AQC software package
CSols AqcTools™ v2.6 allows users to dynamically display Analytical Quality Control (AQC) charts to monitor lab performance, provides paper-free, auditable investigations of control limit failures, includes comprehensive reports and reduces the time to assess and process your QC data.
AqcTools is designed for water, environmental, public health sector and industrial laboratories undertaking chemical, clinical and microbiological analysis.
It provides a selection of ‘dynamic, interactive’ charts from the standard ‘individual plotted AQC points’ to charts that can use batch or daily means of data, for both current and historic data.
In addition, charts can be plotted for an individual analyst to support the labs on-going analyst competency checking.
All of the information relating to each individual point such as date, batch number, analyst, instrument etc. is just one mouse click away.
Data points that fail Westgard Limit Rules are colour coded (red – amber – green) to make them easy to identify with quick access to statistics such as mean, sd, bias, % action and % warning failures, to allow the performance of the analytical method to be assessed quickly and easily.
Feature/Benefits
- Replaces Excel and paper charting systems
- Easy to Interpret Shewhart / Levey-Jennings Control Charts
- Automatic Exclusion from Chart and calculations of points greater than 4SD from mean
- All Westgard Rule Failures – Limit and Trends highlighted on Charts
- F and t-test Statistical Analysis to MCerts and DWI standards for Chart and Limit Reviews
- Quick and easy Calculation and Release of new Chart Limits
- Integrated and paper-free Investigation Forms with full tracking
- Analyst Competency checking
- All Actions Fully Audited
- Data can be entered using (CSols Links for LIMS instrument interfacing and integration product) or via manual / template data entry or directly from LIMS
- Lab Configurable
- Data Confidence for Lab, Customer, Auditor and Regulator (DWI, MCerts, DWI, ISO 17025, ISO 15189)
- Vendor supported
Easy to Interpret Shewhart (Levey-Jennings) Charts
AqcTools provides a selection of ‘interactive’ charts from the standard ‘individual points’ to charts that can use daily means of data. In addition, charts can be plotted for an individual analyst to support the labs on-going analyst competency checking.
Failures of Westgard Rules are colour coded (red – amber – green) to make them easy to see and all Trend failures are flagged. All the information relating to each individual point such as date, batch number, analyst, instrument etc) is ‘one-click’ away and there is quick access to statistics such as mean, sd, bias, % action and warning failures, to allow the performance of the analytical method to be assessed quickly and easily.
Data Entry
QC data can be added to AqcTools in a number of ways from simple manual entry or by the use of a configurable template to match an individual labs processes, direct capture from the instruments (via CSols Links for LIMS instrument interfacing and integration product) or directly from your LIMS.
Integrated Investigation Forms
AqcTools provides a paper-free mechanism for recording investigations and the remedial actions taken in the event of Rule failures with an electronic sign-off protocol.
This information can be accessed directly (‘one-click’) from the chart; which along with the Comments functionality allows immediate access to all the actions taken which effect analytical performance. All of this remains accessible against ALL historic data and is available for future investigations or any regulatory or customer audits.
The Incomplete Exceptions report provides an easy to use tracking system to monitor progress of current investigations with hyperlink access to the charts and each individual investigation report. These features reduce staff time and simplify both internal quality or management reviews.
Limit and Chart Review
AqcTools provides the statistical tests such as F and t-tests required by accreditation bodies for both Limit Review (where the current chart mean and SD are compared to the current limits) and Chart Review (where current chart mean and %RSD are compared to Regulatory Target Limits and Method Validation performance) – in one easy to interpret report, that uses a colour coded system to highlight any issues. To aid investigations, additional plots and reports are available which indicate whether data is normally distributed.
All Reviews are recorded and the Limit Review Summary report ensures that Reviews are not missed by highlighting, using a RAG system when the next Review is due for each chart.
Data Confidence: Customer, Auditor, Regulator
AqcTools provides a convenient, cost effective and dedicated package for Analysts and Managers to monitor their analytical quality and performance. With configurable and automatic trend and Rule failure identification, incorporating paper-free, auditable investigation reports, in-built Limit & Chart Review statistical analysis.
AqcTools is the complete AQC package that enables labs to meet Regulatory / UKAS requirements (DWI, MCerts, ISO 17025 & ISO 15189) and act upon any changes in analytical performance that could affect sample result quality – thus resulting in easier, quicker and better quality of reporting of results.
How to improve your lab efficiency, results quality and regulatory compliance
To discuss your requirements and obtain further information or ask for a demonstration of AqcTools, please email: labproductivity@csols.com .
We look forward to helping you improve your lab efficiency, results quality and regulatory compliance
