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Proficiency Testing
What is
Proficiency Testing
Proficiency testing is a means of assessing the ability of
laboratories to competently perform specific tests and/or measurements.
Proficiency testing supplements laboratories’ own internal quality control
procedures by providing an additional external audit of their testing capability.
Good performance in proficiency testing programs provides independent evidence and
hence reassurance to the laboratory and its clients that procedures, methods and
other laboratory operations are under control.
Proficiency testing also provides laboratories with a sound basis for continuous
improvement.
Proficiency testing determines the performance of individual laboratories for
specific tests or measurements and is used to monitor laboratories’ continuing
performance.
Proficiency testing is also called interlaboratory comparison. As this term implies,
proficiency testing compares the measuring results obtained by different
laboratories.
In a proficiency test one or more artifacts are sent around between a number of
participating laboratories. Each laboratory measures the artifacts (e.g. a ring guage
or a set of guage blocks) according to a given set of instructions and reports its
results to the administrator.
The results reported by each laboratory for a measurand are compared to the
reference value for that measurand. The reference value can be determined in various
ways. The two most common ways are to use a reference laboratory or use the average
of the values reported by the participants.
OUR AFFILIATIONS
Swiss Consulting has a network of international partners to provide PT programs in different areas.
- FAPAS (Fera UK) – World leader in Food Sector Proficiency Testing
- LGC – UK (Proficiency Testing)
- LGC – Germany (CRMs)
- LabVantage
- IFM Quality Services Pty Ltd.– Australia
- IFM
- VSL
- Quatest3
- AG metrology
- CMI
- PTA Australia
- Global Proficiency
- IMS Institute
- ILT Argentina
Benefits of proficiency testing through
Swiss Consulting
Swiss Consulting has a network of international partners to provide PT programs in different areas.
- The only company in Pakistan arranging / distributing PT/ ILC programs from more than 22 International PT Providers since last many years.
- We are providing services to a large number of public and private sector labs across the country.
- The only service provider with a status of official distributor / agent of many international PT providers
- Enables participants to compare their performance with peer laboratories through provision of Old PT reports from various PT Providers.
LIMS (Laboratory Information and Management System)
What is
LIMS
From spreadsheets to record books, traditional methods of data recording are often insufficient to keep up with the demands of a modern lab. Recording, processing, and analysing samples is a complicated and time-consuming process without the right tools and the large amounts of data storage required means any organisational methods must be well-maintained and adequately planned. Thankfully, that’s where a Laboratory Information Management System could help. A LIMS will make it easier to track data and reduce the amount of time it takes to record it. The software can make the process of storing and analysing complex data samples simple and easy.
How does it work?
LIMS allows scientists and technicians to enter detailed essential information relating to the samples they’re working with. Potential info to store includes:
- Inspection number
- Batch material
- Time and date
- Where the test was conducted
- Additional data
As a sample makes its way through the testing process, all of this information is held safely,
securely and in one easy-to-access place. Many LIM systems will generate a barcode when the
initial sample data is entered so that it can simply be scanned again by various staff members
as additional information is obtained. Each user can scan the same code to ensure that the data
is up-to-date, and the process is on track. As well as keeping all data safely contained, it can also
track tests, schedule updates, and even pass test results on to other systems in the chain. A LIMS means
the need for manual recording of data (which obviously leaves room for human error) is no longer necessary
as the system will automatically capture data. This reduces the time spent on admin and lowers the possibility
for inaccuracy.
Types of
LIMS
Due to the nature of lab work, there are many different types of
LIMS in operation. In fact, ask around and you may even get a different definition of
a laboratory information management system depending on who you talk to, that’s how
dynamic and fast-paced the system can be.
Different types of LIMS have different functionalities, and these are dependent on
the requirements of the individual lab. You could choose a system that focusses on data capture,
system info and the storage options. Each LIMS operates a little differently but there are a range of
functions that the software is designed to perform.
About
LabVantage
LabVantage Solutions, Inc., the leading global laboratory informatics provider, is headquartered in Somerset, NJ and has offices around the world. LabVantage’s industry-leading solutions and world-class services are the result of 35+ years of experience in laboratory informatics. LabVantage offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services that enable companies to innovate faster in the R&D cycle, run labs more efficiently, improve manufactured product quality, achieve accurate recordkeeping, and comply with regulatory requirements. LabVantage serves thousands of labs across the globe from industries such as pharmaceutical, biotech, food & beverage, chemicals, CPG and more.
Benefits of LabVantage
LIMS
- Rich, out-of-box functionality that is continually enhanced based on industry best practices
- Completely web-based product with focus on ease of use
- Powerful configuration options allow you to maximize the value of your LIMS over time
- Pre-packaged and pre-validated solutions speed up implementation for labs large and small.
- Strong focus on implementation methodology reduces project risks and ensures success
Key Technical
Features
- Highly Scalable Multi-Tier Architecture
- Presentation Tier
- Application Tier
- Data Tier
- Web Browser
- Application Server
- Barcoding
- Instrument and System Integration
- Virtualization and Cloud Support
- Database Server
- Reports
- Dashboards
Consulting Services
Swiss Consulting has over 08 years of experience in providing a complete set of consulting, training and related products for accreditation of laboratories in accordance with ISO / IEC 17025. The services of the SC regarding implementation of ISO / IEC 17025 system are as follows:
First Phase: Initial Assessment of Laboratory
- Conducting “Gap Analysis” in order to identify conflicts between the current status of the laboratory and the ISO/IEC 17025 standard
- Holding “Basics and Documentation of ISO/IEC 17025” Training Course
Second Phase: Documentation and Implementation
- Preparation of required documents such as Quality Policy, Quality Manual, Procedures and Working Instructions
- Holding Application of Basics Statistics Technics in Laboratories
- Establishment of prepared documents and supervision of the implementation of documentation in the laboratory
- Holding Uncertainty Estimation Training Course
- Holding “Internal and External quality Control by using Excel and Minitab” Training Course
- Holding “Validation of Testing Methods based on ISO/IEC 17025” Training Course
Third Phase: System Evaluation
- Holding “Internal Audit based on ISO/IEC 17025” Training Course
- Conducting internal audit of the laboratory to identify potential Non-Conformities and perform appropriate measures to resolve identified problems
- Elimination of Non-Conformities and Perform corrective actions in the laboratory
- Hold a Management Review session and review the process of implementation of the system in the laboratory
- Coordinating with the Accreditation Body for final laboratory audit
- Participate in the final audit of the laboratory and collaborate with the laboratory to resolve
TRAININGS & CERTIFICATIONS
Swiss Consulting is contributing in training new generation of quality and control. With modern techniques and technology we are working for a better tomorrow.
Training
- ISO/IEC 17025 General Training
- Statistical Training
- International Training
- Specific Industries Training
SISO/IEC 17025 General Training
- Basics and Documentation and Internal Audit Based on International Standard Requirement of ISO/IEC 17025: 2017
- New revision changes of ISO/IEC 17025
- Practical implementation workshop of ISO/IEC 17025
- Application of RM (Reference Material) and CRM (Certified Reference Material) in laboratories
- Root and Cause Analysis of Non-Conformities
- The role of the laboratory Quality Manager in implementation of ISO/IEC 17025
- Practical techniques of auditing laboratories using games (Role Play)
- Metrological Traceability in Chemical Testing
- Identification and Evaluation of risks in laboratories
Statistical Training
- Application of Basics Statistics Technics in (For Technicians and new employees)
- Internal and External quality Control by using Excel and Minitab
- Uncertainty Estimation in Testing Laboratories
- Application of Control Charts in Quality Assurance of test results
- Validation of Testing Methods based on ISO/IEC 17025
- Application of Excel software in Analysis of Data in Testing Laboratories
- External Quality Control Technics in Laboratories
- Uncertainty Estimation by using Top-Down Approach
- Preparation and Use of Internal Reference Material in Quality Assurance of Test Results
International Training
International training provided is with the collaboration of following partners;
- FAPAS / Fera UK
- LGC UK
- PT Australia
- IFM Australia
- NLA South Africa
- Labvantage solutions
Specific Industries Training
- Accreditation of Waste Water and Water Laboratories- Part 1(Physic-Chemistry Laboratory)
- Accreditation of Waste Water and Water Laboratories- Part 1(Microbiology Laboratory)
- Accreditation of Food Industries Laboratories
- Special accreditation requirements ofMetal Laboratories
- Special accreditation requirements of Petrochemical and Oil Industries laboratories
Supply of
Certified Reference Material
Considering the importance of performing the calibration of the laboratory equipment, SC provides a variety of calibration standards that can be used in various industries to ensure accuracy and reliability of the test results. Also, considering that, in accordance with ISO / IEC 17025, laboratories should use appropriate calibration standards to perform calibration, have the capability of metrological tractability and uncertainty, all standards provided by the company meet the requirements of ISO / IEC 17025 in the field of reference materials and calibration standards. The company has the ability to supply certified reference materials in the following areas:
Waste water and water Industries (Environmental)
Calibration standards and reference materials for measuring environmental parameters (water, wastewater, soil, etc.)
- Reference material for the measurement of organic material
- Reference material for measuring physical and chemical parameters
- Reference Materials for Heavy Metals
- Reference material (bacterial strains) of microbiology
Cement Industries
- NIST Reference Material
- LGC Standards CRMs
Food Industries
Reference material for measuring various types of Toxins in food
- Reference materials for color and odor in food
- Reference materials for all types of chemical Contaminants in food
- Reference material for measuring Heavy Metals
- Reference material for measuring Aflatoxin, Acrotoxin and Mycotoxin
- Reference material for pesticide measurements
- Reference Material for Histamine Measurement
- Reference material for measuring Fat, Ash, Nitrogen, Moisture and Protein
- Reference material for the measurement of Fatty Acids and Omega-3
- Reference material for measuring PAHs and more….
Oil and Petrochemical Industries
- Reference material in accordance with ASTM, ISO and …
- Reference material on real sample matrices
Metal and Steel Industries
- Hardness Reference Standards
- Reference standards for chemical analysis
- Reference materials MBH, BAS and
QualityControl Material
Swiss Consulting has a network of international partners
to provide quality control material in different areas.
Surplus test materials from the batch used for the PT may be available for purchase
as quality control (QC) samples. These QC samples may be used for troubleshooting
poor performance in the PT, training of new staff, method development or generating
QC charts.
Reference Material
Swiss Consulting has a network of international partners
to provide reference material in different areas.
Reference Materials (RMs) are also available for some analyte/matrix combinations.
RMs have a much higher degree of characterization than PT or QC materials with a
defined chain of traceability.