Overview	Top

Before creating a QC Batch be sure you have defined all the necessary information (see QC Batch Overview).

QC Batches are created using the "New QC Batch Wizard. Once created using the wizard, manage the details from the QC Batch List page.

 

Create a New QC Batch	Top

Add new QC Batches using either of these:

•	AQC → New QC Batch tramstop. This launches the "New QC Batch Wizard" which walks you through the steps of creating a QC Batch.
•	"Add" button on QC Batch List page (AQC → QC Batches). This launches the "New QC Batch Wizard" which walks you through the steps of creating a QC Batch.
•	"Create QC Batch" button on the Sample, SDIWorkitem or Dataset List pages. This lets you create a QC Batch using a Workflow.

 

Associate a QC Method

Associate the QC Batch with a QC Method.

Field	Description
QC Batch	Automatically generated identifier of the QC Batch.
QC Method Version	QC Method that defines the QC Batch. Version of the QC Method.
Description	Textual description.
Notes	Textual notes.

You can also create an "empty" QC Batch (containing no QC Samples). This lets you add QC Samples to an unknown QC Batch later in the QC Batch life cycle. To do this, create a QC Method, but do not specify any QC Sample Types. Then use the QC Method for this QC Batch.

Select Unknown Samples

Select Unknown Samples by clicking "Add Unknown" (or "Add From QCBatch" to add Samples from a Prior QC Batch). The only Samples available for selection are those with Data Sets from the "Test Methods" defined by the QCMethod.

Click "Select & Return". Only Unknown Samples matching these criteria are added to the QC Batch:

•	Data Sets are from the "Test Methods" defined by the QCMethod.
•	Data Sets are not linked to and not present in any other QC Batch.
•	Data have not been entered for any Data Sets. Data Set status is "Initial".
•	Sample status is "Received" or "InProgress".

Other Controls:

Control	Description
Up and Down Arrow	Changes the position of the selected Sample in the QC Batch.
Remove	Deletes a selected Sample from the QC Batch.

Click "Next".

Rearrange Samples

Rearrange the Samples as needed.

The position of the Samples is determined by QC Method Sample Type. Rearrange or add Samples using the following:

Option	Description
Up and Down Arrow	Change the position of the selected Sample in the QC Batch.
Add Unknown Samples	Add more Unknown Samples to the QC Batch.
Add QC Samples	Add more QC Samples to the QC Batch. If no Samples are selected, the QC Samples are appended to the existing list. If a Sample is selected, the QC Sample is added before the selected Sample.
Remove	Delete a selected Sample from the QC Batch.

Create the QC Batch

Click "Finish". This creates the QCBatch and saves all changes.

You should automatically be transferred to the QC Batch Maintenance page.

 

Define the QC Batch	Top

After creating a new QC Batch, from the QC Batch List page, select the QC Batch and click "Edit" to further define the QC Batch and make any changes.

Field	Description
QC Batch	Automatically generated identifier of the QC Batch.
Status	Status of the QC Batch (see QC Batch Status Transitions).
QC Method	QC Method that defines the QC Batch.
ParamList Type	Procedural or Preparation, as defined by the Parameter List. This is used to create separate QCBatches either for Preparation or Procedural analysis. If a particular param list type is specified, then only those specific datasets included in the Param List are associated to create the QCBatch. If the param list type is left blank, then both the Preparation and Procedural analysis datasets gets associated to create the QCBatch.
Worksheet	Any associated Worksheets.
Description	Textual description.
External Reference	Provides an reference for Empower Connector. See Empower Connector → External Reference for more information.
Notes	Textual notes.

Reapply Samples

The "Reapply" button deletes all QC Samples from the QC Batch, and creates new QC Samples according to the positioning rules and QC Sample Types defined by the QC Method. You can "Reapply" the QCMethod only if the status of the QCBatch is "Initial". However, if a worksheet has been assigned to the QCBatch, then the positioning rule cannot be applied to the QCBatch Items.

QC Batch Items

This shows the positioning rules and QC Sample Types defined by the QC Method.

You can exercise these options:

Option	Description
Up / Down	Changes the position of the selected Sample in the QC Batch. However, repositioning the batch items are not allowed once a Worksheet is attached to the QC Batch.
Add Unknown Samples	Adds more Unknown Samples to the QC Batch. All samples having the same test method as that of the QC Method are displayed
Add From QCBatch	Add Samples from a prior QCBatch.
Add QC Samples	Adds more QC Samples to the QC Batch. Precisely lets you add those QC samples that are specified in the QC Method which in turn is referred to this QC Batch. If no Samples are selected, the QC Samples are appended to the existing list. If a Sample is selected, the QC Sample is added before the selected Sample.
Remove	Deletes selected Samples from the QC Batch. Precisely lets you delete those QC samples that are specified in the QC Method which in turn is referred to this QC Batch.
Data Entry	Lets you enter data for selected Samples in the QC Batch (see Entering Data for QC Batches).
Test Approval	Lets you approve Data Sets after all mandatory Data Items have been Released (status of DataEntered). See Approve Tests for more information.

In the AQC Policy , if the option "Honor SDIWorkItemItem" is set as "No", and the query "QCBatchItemSelectio2" is modified (sdiworkitemitem is removed from "From Clause" and "Where Clause"), then on clicking the Add Unknown Samples button, all samples having the same Parameter List as that of the QC Method are displayed.

QC Batch Sample Types and Consumable Details

The QC Batch Sample Types to include on a QC Batch are determined by the QC Method Sample Types (defined in the QC Method) and display here (now QC Batch Sample Types).

For each of the defined QC Batch Sample Types you can associate specific Consumable Lots and Containers (see Use a Consumable in AQC in the Consumable Example). As you define actual "Use Amounts", Container Inventory is checked and decremented accordingly.

The "Recommended Amount" and "Amount Scope" are defined on the QC Method Sample Type and display here.

The "Standard Level" is defined when downloading Samples using the Empower Connector (see Empower Connector → Mapping Page) or entered manually on the QC Method.

QC Batch Params

Displays information about Parameters defined to collect additional information about the QC Batch itself.

 

Consumables

Lets you choose Consumable Lots for use during Data Entry. These Consumable Lots will be available in the Consumable Chooser dialog (Data Entry → Choose Consumable) along with any Consumable Lots defined for the QC Batch Sample Types. Any Consumable Lots defined at the QC Method Level default here. As you define actual "Use Amounts", Consumable Container Inventory is checked and decremented accordingly.

Lets you assign Managed and UnManaged Instruments to QC Batches. During Data Entry these Instruments are listed in the Instrument Chooser dialog (Data Entry → Choose Instrument).

Manage QC Batches	Top

To manage QC Batches navigate to LIMS → AQC → QC Batches. The QC Batches list page displays.

Enter data for Samples associated with this QC Batch. See Entering Data for QC Batches for detailed information.

Enter data about the QC Batch as a whole. If a Parameter List is associated with the QC Batch (in the QC Batch Params field on the QC Method) select a QC Batch and click QC Batch Params. The data entry Grid, QCbatches by Params page displays.

This is a typical Data Entry page.

Generates an LES Worksheet for this QC Batch. See LES Worksheets for more information.

After clicking "Create LES Worksheet" a message indicates that the Worksheet has been created. Clicking the Worksheet icon displays the Worksheet.

For the selected QC Batches, "Create Worksheet" creates a Worksheet based on the Worksheet Form that is specified by the relevant Parameter Lists. In order to do this:

If you select one QC Batch, you are prompted to choose a Worksheet Form from a lookup that shows all Worksheet Forms specified by the relevant Parameter List. If the Parameter List specifies only one Worksheet Form, you are not prompted. A "Success" message is rendered and the Worksheet is created.

If you select multiple QC Batches, you are prompted to choose a Worksheet Form from a lookup that shows all Worksheet Forms specified by all applicable Parameter Lists. If there is only one Worksheet Form common to all of the applicable Parameter Lists, you are not prompted. A "Success" message is rendered and the Worksheet is created.

If the relevant Parameter List does not specify any Worksheet Forms, or if a Worksheet already exists for one of the selected QC Batches, you are notified of this fact, and no Worksheet is created.

The Worksheet is created in a "Pending" state, as indicated by the icon:

Click an icon to open the Worksheet.

For the selected QC Batches, "Create Worksheet & Assign User" creates a Worksheet and assigns it to a User. In order to do this:

The behavior of the Worksheet Form lookup is the same as Create Worksheet. After selecting a Worksheet Form, you are prompted to choose a User from a list of "All Analysts" or only "Certified Analysts" (as described in Certifications). After selecting a User, that User is assigned to the newly created Worksheet.

For the selected QC Batches, "Create Worksheet & Assign Department" creates a Worksheet and assigns it to a Department. In order to do this:

This button uses Departmental Security. The behavior of the Worksheet Form lookup is the same as Create Worksheet. After selecting a Worksheet Form, you are prompted to choose a Department from a lookup page, which shows only Departments with the "Departments that are Work Areas" option enabled. After selecting a Department, the Worksheet is created and assigned to the Department.

"Assign Department" assigns QC Batches to a Department. This button uses Departmental Security. After selecting QC Batches, you are prompted to choose a Department from a lookup page, which shows only Departments with the "Can be Assigned Work" option enabled. After selecting a Department, the QC Batches are assigned to the Department.

"Assign Department" can also assign both QC Batches and Worksheets to a Department. In order to do this:

The behavior of the Worksheet Form lookup is the same as for "Create Worksheet", i.e., you are prompted if more than one Worksheet Form is applicable. You are then prompted to choose a Department from a lookup page, which shows only Departments with the "Departments that are Work Areas" option enabled. After selecting a Department, the Worksheet is created and both the QC Batches and the Worksheet are assigned to the Department.

"Assign Analyst" assigns Analysts to a Department. This button uses Departmental Security. After selecting QC Batches, you are prompted to choose an Analyst (which is actually a User). If a Data Set is already assigned to a Department, the list of Analysts shows only those who are Members of the assigned Department. The selected QC Batches must be assigned to the same Department as the Analyst.

"Assign Analyst" can also assign an Analyst to both QC Batches and Worksheets. In order to do this:

The behavior of the Worksheet Form lookup is the same as for "Create Worksheet", i.e., you are prompted if more than one Worksheet Form is applicable. After selecting QC Batches, you are prompted to choose an Analyst (filtered by Department) as previously described. The Worksheet is then created, and the selected Analyst is assigned to both the QC Batches and the Worksheet.

Creating QC Batches Using Workflow Tasks	Top

When adding Unknown Samples for a QC Batch, there can be duplicate Data Sets or Tests of the same Test Method. The OOB configuration provides Workflow Task Definitions that allow the QC Batch to be created from the Data Set List page and SDIWorkItem List page. This allows selection of specific Data Sets or Tests to be added or excluded to remove duplicates where they exist. A QC Batch can also be created using Samples selected in the Sample List page.

See the following topics: