A Massambu (Portuguese Edition)

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Irradiation Effects Test Series: The objectives of the test reported were to: Test IE-3 used four 0. One rod failed approximately 45 seconds after the reactor was shut down as a result of cladding embrittlement due to extensive cladding oxidation. Data are presented on the behavior of these irradiated fuel rods during steady-state operation, the power ramp, and film boiling operation. The effects of a power ramp and power ramp rates on pellet-cladding interaction are discussed.

Test data are compared with FRAP-T3 computer model calculations and data from a previous Irradiation Effects test in which four irradiated fuel rods of a similar design were tested. On the first test , one-dimensional treatment of the core thermohydrodynamics was discussed. Low specificity of 2 tetanus rapid tests in Cambodia. Rapid testing for tetanus on serum or blood allows for an immediate evaluation of individual protection against tetanus in developed countries, using a "single step" immunochromatographic technique using tetanus toxoid.

The specificity of these tests , compared to the reference method for tetanus, mouse serum neutralization testing , has however never been assessed in these countries, due to the difficulty to perform serum neutralization titration in mice, because of animal testing bioethical regulations. A collection of sera from adult volunteers in Cambodia, living in rural environment, was tested for tetanus antibodies by ELISA in France, and by mouse serum neutralization in Vietnam. This allowed estimating the sensitivity and specificity of 2 rapid tetanus tests , available on the market: The sensitivity of these tests was adequate, compared to mice serum neutralization test , for a test threshold of 0.

The results prove that these rapid tests for the assessment of individual protection against tetanus should not be used in the adult rural Cambodian population. The report describes the results of a test using four 0. The objective of this test was to provide information about the effects of these differences on fuel rod behavior during quasi-equilibrium and film boiling operation. Data are presented on the behavior of fuel rods during quasiequilibrium and during film boiling operation.

The effects of initial gap size, cladding irradiation, rod power cycling, a rapid power increase, and sustained film boiling are discussed. These discussions are based on measured test data, preliminary postirradiation examination results , and comparisons of results with FRAP-T3 computer model calculations. Rapid lysostaphin test to differentiate Staphylococcus and Micrococcus species. A rapid , simple lysostaphin lysis susceptibility test to differentiate the genera Staphylococcus and Micrococcus was evaluated.

Of strains from culture collections, 95 of 95 Staphylococcus strains were lysed, and 79 of 79 Micrococcus strains were not lysed. The seven Planococcus strains were resistant. Clinical isolates were tested with lysostaphin and for the ability to produce acid from glycerol in the presence of erythromycin. Overall agreement between the methods was All clinical Micrococcus strains 43 were resistant to lysostaphin, and all clinical Staphylococcus strains were susceptible.

Seven of the Staphylococcus strains did not produce acid from glycerol in the presence of erythromycin. This lysostaphin test provides results in 2 h. It is easier to perform than previously described lysostaphin lysis methods. It is also more rapid and accurate than the glycerol-erythromycin test. The rate of water entry as well as the swelling rate of the sample were monitored.

Preliminary considerations regards the domains in which the shrinkage curve of a swelling soil is subdivided and make hypothesis on the swelling process expected when the infiltration from below of the sample is applied. The results support the hypothesis that when the water pressure is applied some water enters rather rapidly in the larger structural pores and is followed later by the swelling in the smaller pores, responsible for the basic domain. This first conclusion demonstrates that the assumption of a simultaneous movement of solid and liquid components in the sample, which is the base of most theoretical developments for swelling soils, cannot be accepted for the tested samples.

Some cases with water clogging on the sample surface confirm a late final swelling of the soil and permitted to evaluate the hydraulic conductivity of the swollen soil. These manifestations are more evident in sodicated soils. The loading of the sample reduces the swelling of the sample and seems to reduce its permeability.

The reduction of the feeding water pressure further reduces the sample swelling. The draining process from saturated soil sample shows that most of the process occurs in the large pores of the structural domain. This gives the possibility to evaluate the water diffusivity coefficient for the structural domain of the sample.

In draining the soil with the highest sodication there was a variation of soil volume. Assessing the independent and combined effects of subsidies for antimalarials and rapid diagnostic testing on fever management decisions in the retail sector: Objectives There is an urgent need to understand how to improve targeting of artemisinin combination therapy ACT to patients with confirmed malaria infection, including subsidised ACTs sold over-the-counter.

We hypothesised that offering an antimalarial subsidy conditional on a positive malaria rapid diagnostic test RDT would increase uptake of testing and improve rational use of ACTs. Between July and June , individuals with a malaria-like illness who had not sought treatment were recruited from their homes. We used scratch cards to allocate participants into 4 groups in a ratio of 1: Participants were eligible for an unsubsidised or fully subsidised RDT and 1 of 2 levels of ACT subsidy current retail price or an additional subsidy conditional on a positive RDT.

Our primary outcome was uptake of malaria testing. Secondary outcomes evaluated ACT consumption among those with a negative test , a positive test or no test. Results Offering a free RDT increased the probability of testing by Overall, the proportion who took ACT following a negative test was lower than those who took ACT without being tested , indicated improved targeting among those who were tested. Conclusions Both subsidies improved appropriate fever management, demonstrating the impact of these costs on decision making.

However, the conditional ACT subsidy did not increase testing. We conclude that each of the. Comparative evaluation of two rapid field tests for malaria diagnosis: Fast and reliable diagnosis of malaria requires confirmation of the presence of malaria parasites in the blood of patients with fever or history suggestive of malaria; hence a prompt and accurate diagnosis of malaria is the key to effective disease management.

Confirmation of malaria infection requires the availability of a rapid , sensitive, and specific testing at an affordable cost. Blood samples were collected from children admitted with fever or a history of fever to the pediatric clinic of the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital. The three different test methods PT, BN RDT and GM were performed independently by well trained and competent laboratory staff to assess the presence of malaria parasites. Results were analyzed and compared using GM as the reference standard. There was a strong agreement kappa between the applied test methods GM vs PT: Both methods require little training, have short turnaround times, are applicable as well as affordable and.

Modification of the Rappaport rapid test in large-scale testing for syphilis. Evaluation of the rapid plate and rapid card tests. The Rappaport rapid RR plate and card tests were developed as modifications of the RR tube test to permit rapid and inexpensive screening of large numbers of subjects for the diagnosis of syphilis. The RR plate test was found to be sufficiently sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of syphilis, although the VDRL slide test is perhaps more sensitive in primary and late latent syphilis.

Since the antigen used in the RR tests is colored and stable and the sera do not require inactivation before the test , the tests are easier to perform than the VDRL slide test: MITG test procedure and results. Elements and modules for Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator have been performance tested since the inception of the RTG program. These test articles seldom resembled flight hardware and often lacked adequate diagnostic instrumentation. Because of this, performance problems were not identified in the early stage of program development. The lack of test data in an unexpected area often hampered the development of a problem solution.

A procedure for conducting the MITG Test was developed in an effort to obtain data in a systematic, unambiguous manner. This procedure required the development of extensive data acquisition software and test automation. The development of a facility to implement the test procedure, the facility hardware and software requirements, and the results of the MITG testing are the subject of this paper.

Engineering model cryocooler test results. This paper reports that recent testing of diaphragm-defined, Stirling-cycle machines and components has demonstrated cooling performance potential, validated the design code, and confirmed several critical operating characteristics. A breadboard cryocooler was rebuilt and tested from cryogenic to near-ambient cold end temperatures. There was a significant increase in capacity at cryogenic temperatures and the performance results compared will with code predictions at all temperatures.

Further testing on a breadboard diaphragm compressor validated the calculated requirement for a minimum axial clearance between diaphragms and mating heads. Evaluation of rapid HIV test kits on whole blood and development of rapid testing algorithm for voluntary testing and counseling centers in Ethiopia. Five simple and rapid HIV antibody detection assays viz. Determine, Capillus, Oraquick, Unigold and Hemastrip were evaluated to examine their performance and to develop an alternative rapid test based testing algorithm for voluntary counseling and testing VCT in Ethiopia.

All the kits were tested on whole blood, plasma and serum. The evaluation had three phases: Primary lab review, piloting at point of service and implementation. This report includes the results of the first two phases. A total of 2, specimens both whole blood and plasma were included in the evaluation. A comparison of rapid diagnostic testing by plasmodium lactate Rapid pile load tests in the geotechnical centrifuge. Centrifiige experiments were carried out to gain insight into the factors that affect the mobilized resistance during rapid load testing on piles in sand.

The influence of generated pore water pressure during rapid load tests is shidied, and its effect on the commonly used unloadmg point method to. Summary of CCTF test results. Conservatism of current safety analysis was assessed by comparing the predicted result with cylindrical core test facility CCTF test result performed at Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute.

WREM code was selected for the assessment. The overall conservatism of the WREM code on the peak clad temperature prediction was confirmed against CCTF evaluation model EM test which simulated the typical initial and boundary conditions in the safety evaluation analysis. WREM code predicted the reasonable core boundary conditions and the conservatism of the code came mainly from core calculation.

Mobile evaporator corrosion test results. Laboratory corrosion tests were conducted on eight candidates to select a durable and cost-effective alloy for use in mobile evaporators to process radioactive waste solutions. Based on an extensive literature survey of corrosion data, three stainless steel alloys L, L, AL-6XN , four nickel-based alloys , , , G , and titanium were selected for testing. The corrosion tests included vapor phase, liquid junction interface , liquid immersion, and crevice corrosion tests on plain and welded samples of candidate materials.

Tests were conducted at 80 degrees C for 45 days in two different test solutions: All of the alloys exhibited excellent corrosion resistance in the alkaline test solution. Corrosion rates were very low and localized corrosion was not observed. Results from the nitric acid tests showed that only L stainless steel did not meet our performance criteria. The L welded interface and crevice specimens had rates of The other welded samples had about the same corrosion resistance as the plain samples. None of the welded samples showed preferential weld or heat-affected zone HAZ attack.

Vapor corrosion was negligible for all alloys. All of the alloys except L exhibited either open-quotes satisfactoryclose quotes mpy or open-quotes excellentclose quotes test solution, which could indicate a susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking SCC in this environment. Improving prescribing practices with rapid diagnostic tests RDTs.

The overuse of antimalarial drugs is widespread. Effective methods to improve prescribing practice remain unclear. We evaluated the impact of 10 interventions that introduced rapid diagnostic tests for malaria mRDTs on the use of tests and adherence to results in different contexts Analysis explored variation in: Goodness of fit of mRDTs with existing consultation and diagnostic practices appeared crucial to maximising the impact of mRDTs on care, as did prior familiarity with malaria testing ; adequate human resources and supplies; possible alternative treatments for m The microdose rapid 14C urea breath test compares well with the original rapid 14 breath test.

All subjects first underwent a 14 CUBT with the microdose capsule and a single 15 minute post ingestion sample. An hour later the test was repeated but with a dose of KBq 14 C urea in liquid form. This is shown above. The Rapid 14 CUBT performed following the microdose capsule whilst reducing patient radiation exposure is an accurate test for the detection of H. Rapid diagnostic tests for typhoid and paratyphoid enteric fever. Background Differentiating both typhoid Salmonella Typhi and paratyphoid Salmonella Paratyphi A infection from other causes of fever in endemic areas is a diagnostic challenge.

Although commercial point-of-care rapid diagnostic tests RDTs for enteric fever are available as alternatives to the current reference standard test of blood or bone marrow culture, or to the widely used Widal Test , their diagnostic accuracy is unclear. If accurate, they could potentially replace blood culture as the World Health Organization WHO -recommended main diagnostic test for enteric fever. Objectives To assess the diagnostic accuracy of commercially available rapid diagnostic tests RDTs and prototypes for detecting Salmonella Typhi or Paratyphi A infection in symptomatic persons living in endemic areas.

We manually searched WHO reports, and papers from international conferences on Salmonella infections. We also contacted test manufacturers to identify studies. Selection criteria We included diagnostic accuracy studies of enteric fever RDTs in patients with fever or with symptoms suggestive of enteric fever living in endemic areas. We classified the reference standard used as either Grade 1 result from a blood culture and a bone marrow culture or Grade 2 result from blood culture and blood polymerase chain reaction, or from blood culture alone. Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently extracted the test result data.

We performed a meta-analysis when there were sufficient studies for the test and heterogeneity was reasonable. Main results Thirty-seven studies met the inclusion. Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Malaria: Performance of an immunochromatography test for vivax malaria in the Amazon region, Brazil.

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Saude Publica, 37, Rapid screening test for porphyria diagnosis using fluorescence spectroscopy. Porphyrias are rare genetic metabolic disorders, which result from deficiencies of enzymes in the heme biosynthesis pathway. Depending on the enzyme defect, different types of porphyrins and heme precursors accumulate for the different porphyria diseases in erythrocytes, liver, blood plasma, urine and stool.

Patients with acute hepatic porphyrias can suffer from acute neuropathic attacks, which can lead to death when undiagnosed, but show only unspecific clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain. Therefore, in addition to chromatographic methods, a rapid screening test is required to allow for immediate identification and treatment of these patients.

In this study, fluorescence spectroscopic measurements were conducted on blood plasma and phantom material, mimicking the composition of blood plasma of porphyria patients. Hydrochloric acid was used to differentiate the occurring porphyrins uroporphyrin-III and coproporphyrin-III spectroscopically despite their initially overlapping excitation spectra. Plasma phantom mixtures were measured using dual wavelength excitation and the corresponding concentrations of uroporphyrin-III and coproporphyrin-III were determined.

Additionally, three plasma samples of porphyria patients were examined and traces of coproporphyrin-III and uroporphyrin-III were identified. This study may therefore help to establish a rapid screening test method with spectroscopic differentiation of the occurring porphyrins, which consequently allows for the distinction of different porphyrias. This may be a valuable tool for clinical porphyria diagnosis and rapid or immediate treatment.

The effects of surface treatments on rapid chloride permeability tests. Surface treatments are commonly applied to improve the chloride resistance of concrete structures exposed to saline environments. Information on chloride ingress to surface-treated concrete is mostly provided by application of the rapid chloride permeability test RCPT ; this test is short in duration and provides rapid results. Predictions of the model are compared to experimental measurements. The simulations show that the results from RCPT, in terms of ionic profiles and measurement of the electric field, are dependent on the effectiveness of surface treatments.

During RCPT, highly effective surface treatments cause both cations and anions to flocculate at the interface between the surface treatment and the concrete, creating a local electric field. Our numerical model includes these phenomena and presents a methodology to obtain more accurate diffusivities of the surface-treated- concrete from RCPT. We consider five forecasts that were submitted for the test. We compare the forecasts utilizing forecast verification methodology developed in the atmospheric sciences, specifically for tornadoes. The best forecasts are about an order of magnitude better than random forecasts.

We discuss the earthquakes, the forecasts, and alternative methods of evaluation of the performance of RELM forecasts. We also discuss the relative merits of alarm-based versus probability-based forecasts. EFTF cobalt test assembly results. A cobalt test assembly containing yttrium hydride pins for neutron moderation was irradiated in the Fast Flux Test Facility during Cycle 9A for The 36 test pins consisted of a batch of 32 pins containing cobalt metal to produce Co, and a set of 4 pins with europium oxide to produce Gd, a radioisotope used in detection of the bone disease Osteoporosis.

In conclusion, the hydride assembly performed well and is an excellent vehicle for many Fast Flux Test Facility isotope production applications. The results also demonstrate that the calculational methods developed by the Westinghouse Hanford Company are very accurate. Full Text Available The attention to rapid pavement repair has grown fast in recent decades: This work presents the results of laboratory and on-site tests for rapid runway repair, in order to analyse and compare technical and mechanical performances of 12 different materials currently used in airport.

The study focuses on site repairs, a technique adopted most frequently than repairs with modular elements. After describing mechanical and physical properties of the examined materials 2 bituminous emulsions, 5 cement mortars, 4 cold bituminous mixtures and 1 expanding resin, the study presents the results of carried out mechanical tests. The results demonstrate that the best performing material is a one-component fast setting and hardening cement mortar with graded aggregates.

This material allows the runway reopening 6 h after the work. A cold bituminous mixture bicomponent premixed cold asphalt with water as catalyst and the ordinary cement concrete allow the reopening to traffic after 18 h, but both ensure a lower service life coverages than the cement mortar 10, coverages. The obtained results include important information both laboratory level and field, and they could be used by airport management bodies and road agencies when scheduling and evaluating pavement repairs.

Improved diagnostic tests for Chagas disease are urgently needed. A new lateral flow rapid test for Chagas disease is under development at PATH, in collaboration with Laboratorio Lemos of Argentina, which utilizes a recombinant antigen for detection of antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi. To evaluate the performance of this test , earlier characterized serum specimens from a region where Chagas is endemic were tested using a reference test the Ortho T.

Compared to the composite reference tests , the PATH—Lemos rapid test demonstrated an optimal sensitivity of These results indicate that the PATH—Lemos rapid test shows promise as an improved and reliable tool for screening and diagnosis of Chagas disease. Differentiating both typhoid Salmonella Typhi and paratyphoid Salmonella Paratyphi A infection from other causes of fever in endemic areas is a diagnostic challenge. To assess the diagnostic accuracy of commercially available rapid diagnostic tests RDTs and prototypes for detecting Salmonella Typhi or Paratyphi A infection in symptomatic persons living in endemic areas.

We included diagnostic accuracy studies of enteric fever RDTs in patients with fever or with symptoms suggestive of enteric fever living in endemic areas. Two review authors independently extracted the test result data. Thirty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria and included a total of participants range 50 to The transport case was driven by two conflicting constraints, first that the case be as light as possible, and second that it meet a stringent list of Military Specified requirements. The design team worked to extract every bit of weight from the design while striving to meet the rigorous Mil-Spec constraints.

In the end compromises were made primarily on the specification side to control the overall weight of the transport case. This report outlines the case testing results. For many years, the petroleum industry has been developing a valve that input less shear to the flow for a given required pressure drop and this can be done using the cyclonic concept. This paper presents a comparison between the performances of a cyclonic valve low shear and a conventional globe valve.

Results indicates a better performance of the cyclonic valve, if compared with a conventional one, and also that the difference of the performance, is a function of several parameters emulsion stability, water content free, and oil properties. The cyclonic valve tested can be applied as a choke valve, as a valve between separation stages for pressure drop , or for controlling the level of vessels.

We must emphasize the importance to avoid the high shear imposed by conventional valves, because once the emulsion is created, it becomes more difficult to break it. In the same way, the future installations are also being designed considering the cyclonic valve usage.

Formation of acid metabolites was evidenced by a color change orange to yellow of the red phenol pH indicator. The rapid aminoglycoside NP test was evaluated by using bacterial colonies of 18 AG-resistant isolates producing 16S rRNA methylases, 20 AG-resistant isolates expressing AG-modifying enzymes acetyl-, adenyl-, and phosphotransferases , and 10 isolates susceptible to AG.

In the development of flight insulation systems for large cryogenic orbital storage spray on foam and multilayer insulation , testing need include all environments that are experienced during flight. While large efforts have been expended on studying, bounding, and modeling the orbital performance of the insulation systems, little effort has been expended on the ground hold and ascent phases of a mission.

Historical cryogenic in-space systems that have flown have been able to ignore these phases of flight due to the insulation system being within a vacuum jacket. In the development phase of the Nuclear Mars Vehicle and the Shuttle Nuclear Vehicle, several insulation systems were evaluated for the full mission cycle. Since that time there had been minimal work on these phases of flight until the Constellation program began investigating cryogenic service modules and long duration upper stages.

With the inception of the Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer Technology Demonstration Mission, a specific need was seen for the data and as such, several tests were added to the Cryogenic Boil-off Reduction System liquid hydrogen test matrix to provide more data on a insulation system. Testing was attempted with both gaseous nitrogen GN2 and gaseous helium GHe backfills. The initial tests with nitrogen backfill were not successfully completed due to nitrogen liquefaction and solidification preventing the rapid pumpdown of the vacuum chamber.

Subsequent helium backfill tests were successful and showed minimal degradation. The results are compared to the historical data. A retrospective evaluation of proficiency testing , and rapid HIV test To compare concordance between National HIV This process uses sodium tetraphenylborate to precipitate and remove radioactive Cs from the waste and monosodium titanate to sorb and remove radioactive Sr and actinides. ORNL is demonstrating this process at the 1: Even with TPB being decomposed by the off-normal conditions of this test , the decontaimination factor for Cs obtained for the filtrate from the Slurry Concentrating Tank ranged from 47, to ,, exceeding the WAC standard.

Diagnosis of acute mononucleosis in emergency: Full Text Available Epstein-Barr virus EBV is a gammaherpesvirus that causes a number of clinical syndromes, including acute mononucleosis. Acute infection with EBV can vary widely with regard to the severity and presentation of illness, ranging from an asymptomatic infection to a serious, life-threatening version of mononucleosis with associated liver damage and splenomegaly. Additionally, other acute viral syndromes, including those caused by hepatitis viruses and cytomegalovirus CMV, can lead to similar clinical syndromes.

The variety of symptoms and the overlap with other viral infections underscore the importance of laboratory testing in the diagnosis of acute EBV-related disease. Heterophile antibody determination is resulted to have not a real diagnostic utility for the low sensibility and specificity of the test. Blood samples collected from volunteers in two communities of Bayelsa State in the Niger. Delta area were investigated for falciparum malaria parasite using the rapid test based on the detection of soluble antigen and laboratory microscopy test.

The data showed that out of the samples collected, Irradiation effects test series test IE-1 test results report. This test IE-1 used four 0. The objectives of this test were to evaluate the effect of fuel pellet density on pellet-cladding interaction during a power ramp and to evaluate the influence of the irradiated state of the fuel and cladding on rod behavior during film boiling operation. Data are presented on the behavior of irradiated fuel rods during steady-state operation, a power ramp, and film boiling operation. The effects of as-fabricated gap size, as-fabricated fuel density, rod power, and power ramp rate on pellet-cladding interaction are discussed.

Test data are compared with FRAP-T2 computer model predictions, and comments on the consequences of sustained film boiling operation on irradiated fuel rod behavior are provided. Synthesis of low cycle fatigue test results. Axial strain controlled cycle fatigue tests were carried out on type stainless steel parent metal, vacuum and non-vacuum electron beams welds, submerged arc welds and gas shielded metal arc welds.

Testing covered total strains in the range 0. Parent metal and the electron beam welds showed rapid cyclic hardening, while arc welds showed little hardening. The weld metal cyclic stress-strain response was above that obtained for the parent metal, although below data obtained by other workers for similar parent materials. Weld metal endurances were above the ASME N47 continuous cycling design line at both temperatures, and comparable with parent metal data. However, the weld metal data approached the design line at low strain ranges around 0.

Endurances were predicted from crack growth rates estimated from striation spacings, giving acceptable results except for the gas shielded metal arc weldments. We demonstrate a cellphone based Rapid-Diagnostic-Test RDT reader platform that can work with various lateral flow immuno-chromatographic assays and similar tests to sense the presence of a target analyte in a sample.

Captured raw images of these tests are then digitally processed within less than 0. The same smart application running on the cellphone then transmits the resulting data, together with the RDT images and other related information e. This dynamic spatio-temporal map of various RDT results can then be viewed and shared using internet browsers or through the same cellphone application. Providing real-time spatio-temporal statistics for the prevalence of various infectious diseases, this smart RDT reader platform running on cellphones might assist health-care professionals and policy makers to track emerging epidemics worldwide and help epidemic preparedness.

Irradiation effects test Series Scoping Test 1: This test used an unirradiated, three-foot-long, PWR-type fuel rod. The objective of this test was to thoroughly evaluate the remote fabrication procedures to be used for irradiated rods in future tests , handling plans, and reactor operations. Additionally, selected fuel behavior data were obtained. The fuel rod was subjected to a series of preconditioning power cycles followed by a power increase which brought the fuel rod power to about Film boiling occurred for a period of 4.

The test fuel rod failed following reactor shutdown as a result of heavy internal and external cladding oxidation and embrittlement which occurred during the film boiling operation. Chemical compatibility screening test results. A program for evaluating packaging components that may be used in transporting mixed-waste forms has been developed and the first phase has been completed.

This effort involved the screening of ten plastic materials in four simulant mixed-waste types. These plastics were butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer rubber, cross-linked polyethylene XLPE , epichlorohydrin rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber EPDM , fluorocarbon Viton or Kel-F , polytetrafluoroethylene, high-density polyethylene HDPE , isobutylene-isoprene copolymer rubber butyl , polypropylene, and styrene-butadiene rubber SBR. The selected simulant mixed wastes were 1 an aqueous alkaline mixture of sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite; 2 a chlorinated hydrocarbon mixture; 3 a simulant liquid scintillation fluid; and 4 a mixture of ketones.

The testing protocol involved exposing the respective materials to , rads of gamma radiation followed by day exposures to the waste types at 60 degrees C.

The seal materials were tested using vapor transport rate VTR measurements while the liner materials were tested using specific gravity as a metric. For these tests , a screening criterion of 0. In the chlorinated hydrocarbon simulant mixed waste, only Viton passed the screening tests. In both the simulant scintillation fluid mixed waste and the ketone mixture simulant mixed waste, none of the seal materials met the screening criteria.

For specific gravity testing of liner materials, the data showed that while all materials with the exception of polypropylene passed the screening criteria, Kel-F, HDPE, and XLPE offered the greatest resistance to the combination of radiation and chemicals. Evaluation of a rapid immunodiagnostic test kit for rabies virus.

A rapid immunodiagnostic test kit for rabies virus detection was evaluated using 51 clinical samples and 4 isolates of rabies virus. The quick detection of rabies virus under field conditions may be helpful in determining if post-exposure prophylaxis is needed, thereby avoiding unnecessary treatments, as well as undue economic burden.

There are several widely used diagnostic methods for rabies, including fluorescent antibody tests , reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and electron microscopy; however, these methods include time-consuming, intricate, and costly procedures. The rapid immunodiagnostic test was able to detect rabies virus in clinical samples, including brain tissue and saliva, in addition to 10 3.

The assay was not cross-reactive with non-rabies virus microbes. When the performance of the rapid immunodiagnostic test was compared to a fluorescent antibody test , the rapid immunodiagnostic test had a sensitivity of Irradiation effects test series, test IE The objectives of the test were to evaluate the influence of simulated fission products, cladding irradiation damage, and fuel rod internal pressure on pellet-cladding interaction during a power ramp and on fuel rod behavior during film boiling operation. Maximum time in film boiling was 80s.

The rod having the highest initial internal pressure 8. A second rod failed about 90s after reactor shutdown. Work has been in progress on the official approval of the new ISO standard, specific to medical laboratories. The harmonized guideline adapted the process model of ISO This rearrangement does not only make the guideline compliant with ISO The certificate is the official confirmation of the competence to perform research, an acknowledgement of credibility, impartiality and professional independence. It is also the proof of establishment, implementation and maintenance of an appropriate management system.

The article presents the legal basis for accreditation , the procedure of obtaining the certificate of accreditation and selected elements of the management system. Clinical laboratory services are essential to patient care and therefore should be available to meet the needs of all patients and clinical personnel responsible for human health care. If a laboratory seeks accreditation , it should select an accreditation body that operates according to this international standard and in a manner which takes into account the particular requirements of clinical laboratories.

Proficiency testing should be available to evaluate the calibration laboratories and reference measurement laboratories in clinical medicine. Reference measurement procedures should be of precise and the analytical principle of measurement applied should ensure reliability. We should be prepared to establish a quality management system and proficiency testing in clinical laboratories. Electromedical devices test laboratories accreditation.

In the last years, the technology and equipment at hospitals have been increase in a great way as the risks of their implementation. Safety in medical equipment must be considered an important issue to protect patients and their users. For this reason, test and calibrations laboratories must verify the correct performance of this kind of devices under national and international standards.

Is an essential mission for laboratories to develop their measurement activities taking into account a quality management system. In this article, we intend to transmit our experience working to achieve an accredited Test Laboratories for medical devices in National technological University. An accredited laboratory is a laboratory that has been approved or accredited by the U. While this International Standard is intended for use throughout the currently recognized disciplines of medical laboratory services, those working in other services and disciplines will also find it useful and appropriate.

In addition, bodies engaged in the recognition of the competence of medical laboratories will be able to use this International Standard as the basis for their activities. ISO requirements consist of two parts, one is management requirements and the other is technical requirements. The former includes the requirements of all parts of ISO , moreover it includes the requirement of conformity assessment body, for example, impartiality and independence from any other party.

The latter includes the requirements of laboratory competence e. Implementation of ISO will result in a significant improvement in medical laboratories management system and their technical competence. The accreditation of medical laboratory will improve medical laboratory service and be useful for patients. Accreditation experience of radioisotope metrology laboratory of Argentina. Considering the LMR as a calibration laboratory , services of secondary activity determinations and calibration of activimeters used in Nuclear Medicine were accredited.

This work shows in detail the structure of the quality system, the results of the accrediting audit and gives the number of non-conformities detected and of observations made which have all been resolved. Evaluation of Calibration Laboratories Performance. One of the main goals of interlaboratory comparisons ILCs is the evaluation of the laboratories performance for the routine calibrations they perform for the clients.

In the frame of Accreditation of Laboratories , the national accreditation boards NABs in collaboration with the national metrology institutes NMIs organize the ILCs needed to comply with the requirements of the international accreditation organizations. In order that an ILC is a reliable tool for a laboratory to validate its best measurement capability BMC , it is needed that the NMI reference laboratory provides a better traveling standard—in terms of accuracy class or uncertainty—than the laboratories BMCs.

Although this is the general situation, there are cases where the NABs ask the NMIs to evaluate the performance of the accredited laboratories when calibrating industrial measuring instruments. The aim of this article is to discuss the existing approaches for the evaluation of ILCs and propose a basis for the validation of the laboratories measurement capabilities.

An example is drafted with the evaluation of the results of mercury-in-glass thermometers ILC with 12 participant laboratories. Procedures for establishing and maintaining consistent air-kerma strength standards for low-energy, photon-emitting brachytherapy sources: Low dose rate brachytherapy is being used extensively for the treatment of prostate cancer.

The dosimetry standards for these sources are traceable to the NIST wide-angle free-air chamber. Procedures have been developed by the AAPM Calibration Laboratory Accreditation Subcommittee to standardize quality assurance and calibration , and to maintain the dosimetric traceability of these sources to ensure accurate clinical dosimetry. A description of these procedures is provided to the clinical users for traceability purposes as well as to provide guidance to the manufacturers of brachytherapy sources and ADCLs with regard to these procedures.

Perry Johnson Laboratory Accreditation , Inc. Regulatory issues in accreditation of toxicology laboratories. Clinical toxicology laboratories and forensic toxicology laboratories operate in a highly regulated environment. The most fundamental regulatory distinction involves the purposes for which the laboratory operates: The applicable regulations and the requirements and options for operations depend most basically on this consideration, with clinical toxicology laboratories being directly subject to federal law including mandated options for accreditation and forensic toxicology laboratories being subject to degrees of voluntary or state government—required accreditation.

The application shall be in writing to: Since its establishment in September , the ATL has provided acoustic emission testing and noise control services for a variety of customers, particularly microgravity space flight hardware that must meet International Space Station acoustic emission requirements. The ATL employs a personal-computer-based data acquisition system that provides up to 26 channels of simultaneous data acquisition with real-time analysis ref. Specialized diagnostic tools, including a scanning sound-intensity system, allow the ATL's technical staff to support its clients' aggressive low-noise design efforts to meet the space station's acoustic emission requirement.

From its inception, the ATL has pursued the goal of developing a comprehensive ISO compliant quality program that would incorporate Glenn's existing ISO quality system policies as well as ATL-specific technical policies and procedures. Department of Commerce and provides third-party accreditation for testing and calibration laboratories.

NVLAP accreditation covering one or more specific testing procedures conducted in accordance with established test standards is awarded upon successful completion of an intensive. The nation has long suffered from the inefficiencies and inconsistencies of the current multiple environmental laboratory accreditation programs. In the 's, EPA set minimum standards for a drinking water certification program.

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The drinking water program was adopted by the s Industrial Hygiene Laboratory accreditation: With more than 10, members, the AIHA is the largest international association serving occupational and environmental health professionals practicing industrial hygiene in private industry, academia, government, labor, and independent organizations.

The purposes of this program are shown. Situation analysis of occupational and environmental health laboratory accreditation in Thailand. The objective of this study was to analyze the current situation of laboratory accreditation LA in Thailand, especially on occupational and environmental health. The study integrated both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The response rate of the quantitative questionnaires was The majority of the responders was environmental laboratories located outside hospital and did not have proficiency testing.

However, only 30 laboratories were currently accredited by one of these systems. Interviewing the director of NAC and some key men in some large laboratories revealed several major problems of Thailand's LA. Several governmental bodies had their own standards and. Mozambique's journey toward accreditation of the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory. Internationally- accredited laboratories are recognised for their superior test reliability, operational performance, quality management and competence. Here, we describe the road map taken by the NTRL to achieve international accreditation.

An action plan was designed to streamline the process. Quality indicators were defined to benchmark progress. Staff were trained to improve performance. Mentorship from an experienced assessor was provided. Fulfilment of accreditation standards was assessed by the Portuguese Accreditation Board. During the accreditation assessment in September , 25 minor nonconformities were identified and addressed. In March , the NTRL received Portuguese Accreditation Board recognition of technical competency for fluorescence smear microscopy, and solid and liquid culture.

From our experience, accreditation was made possible by institutional commitment, strong laboratory leadership, staff motivation, adequate infrastructure and a comprehensive action plan. The major portion of this document standards contains detailed requirements for accrediting environmental labo The current status of forensic science laboratory accreditation in Europe. Forensic science is gaining some solid ground in the area of effective crime prevention, especially in the areas where more sophisticated use of available technology is prevalent. All it takes is high-level cooperation among nations that can help them deal with criminality that adopts a cross-border nature more and more.

It is apparent that cooperation will not be enough on its own and this development will require a network of qualified forensic laboratories spread over Europe. It is argued in this paper that forensic science laboratories play an important role in the fight against crime.

Another, complimentary argument is that forensic science laboratories need to be better involved in the fight against crime. For this to be achieved, a good level of cooperation should be established and maintained. The background of forensic science cooperation in Europe will be explained by using an existing European forensic science network, i.

ENFSI, in order to understand the current status of forensic. The testing for general service fluorescent lamps Appendix R to this subpart. The testing for medium base compact fluorescent lamps shall be performed in accordance with Appendix W of this subpart. This testing shall be conducted by test laboratories accredited Federal Register , , , , Harmonization of good laboratory practice requirements and laboratory accreditation programs. In concert with these efforts, several OECD countries have developed GLP accreditation programs, managed by local health and environmental ministries.

In addition, Canada and the United States are investigating Laboratory Accreditation programs for environmental monitoring assessment and GLP-regulated studies. In the European Community EC , the need for quality standards specifying requirements for production and international trade has promoted International Standards Organization ISO certification for certain products.

ISO standards identify requirements for certification of quality systems. These certification programs may affect the trade and market of laboratories conducting GLP studies. Two goals identified by these efforts are common to both programs: This confidence can be promoted, in part, through laboratory inspection and screening processes.

However, the question remains, will data produced by sanctioned laboratories be mutually accepted on an international basis? Therefore, an environmental assessment or Environmental Impact Statement is not For the reasons set forth in the preamble, title 15 of the Code The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation.

IEC General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. The proficiency testing results are then important Photovoltaic module certification and laboratory accreditation criteria development. This paper overviews a model product certification and test laboratory accreditation program for photovoltaic PV modules that was recently developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Arizona State University.

The specific objective of this project was to produce a document that details the equipment, facilities, quality assurance procedures, and technical expertise an accredited laboratory needs for performance and qualification testing of PV modules, along with the specific tests needed for a module design to be certified. The document was developed in conjunction with a criteria development committee consisting of representatives from 30 U.

PV manufacturers, end users, standards and codes organizations, and testing laboratories. The intent is to lay the groundwork for a future U. PV certification and accreditation program that will be beneficial to the PV industry as a whole. Experience gained during the external accreditation of the Acoustical Standards Program at the Institute for National Measurement Standards of the National Research Council is discussed. Some highlights include the preparation of documents for calibration procedures, control documents with attention to reducing future paper work and the need to maintain documentation or paper trails to satisfy the external assessors.

Laboratory quality management system: This review attempts to clarify the concepts of Laboratory Quality Management System Lab QMS for a medical testing and diagnostic laboratory in a holistic way and hopes to expand the horizon beyond quality control QC and quality assurance. It provides an insight on accreditation bodies and highlights a glimpse of existing laboratory practices but essentially it takes the reader through the journey of accreditation and during the course of reading and understanding this document, prepares the laboratory for the same.

Some of the areas which have not been highlighted previously include: This section is well supported with practical illustrations and necessary tables and exhaustive details like preparation of a standard operating procedure and a quality manual. Concept of training and privileging of staff has been clarified and a few of the QC exercises have been dealt with in a novel way. Finally, a practical advice for facing an actual third party assessment and caution needed to prevent post-assessment pitfalls has been dealt with.

The testing for general service The testing for medium base compact fluorescent lamps shall be The testing for general The testing for medium base compact fluorescent Requirements for quality and competence of medical laboratories , experience of a laboratory I. Medical laboratories are the key partners in patient safety. Quality of laboratory service is the major factor which directly affects the quality of health care. The clinical laboratory as a whole has to provide the best patient care promoting excellence.

Accredited medical laboratories enhance credibility and competency of their testing services. Our group of laboratories , one of the leading institutions in the area, had previous experience with ISO and ISO Accreditation at non-medical sections. We started to prepared for ISO Accreditation at the beginning of and were certified in March, We spent more than a year to prepare for accreditation.

Accreditation scopes of our laboratory were as follows: The total number of accredited tests is We participate in five different PT programs. Our laboratory also organizes a PT program for flow cytometry. We serve more than customers on a real time basis. Our quality management system is also documented and processed electronically, Document Management System DMS , via our intranet. Preparatory phase for accreditation , data management, external quality control programs, personnel related issues before, during and after accreditation process are presented.

Accreditation of Commercial Laboratories and Approval One important trend in the laboratory profession and quality management is the global convergence of laboratory operations. The goal of an accredited medical laboratory is to continue "offering useful laboratory service for diagnosis and treatment of the patients and also aid to the health of the nation".

An accredited clinical laboratory is managed by a quality control system, it is competent technically and the laboratory service meets the needs of all its patients and physicians by taking the responsibility of all the medical tests and therapies. For this purpose, ISO international standard has been prepared by Many countries such as England, Germany, France, Canada and Australia have preferred ISO as their own laboratory accreditation programme, meeting all the requirements of their medical laboratories.

The accreditation performance of a clinical microbiology laboratory is mainly based on five essential points; preanalytical, analytical, postanalytical, quality control programmes internal, external, interlaboratory and audits internal, external. In this review article, general concepts on ISO accreditation standards for the clinical microbiology laboratories have been summarized and the status of a private laboratory Acibadem LabMed, Istanbul in Turkey has been discussed.

Notice of accreditation and approval of Laboratory Service, Inc. Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to 19 CFR The instruments calibrated are used by FDA and contract state inspectors to verify compliance with federal x-ray performance standards and for national surveys of x-ray trends. The poster illustrates these services and shows the traceability links back to the National Standards. Development of a quality assurance program for ionizing radiation secondary calibration laboratories. For calibration laboratories , routine calibrations of instruments meeting stated accuracy goals are important.

One method of achieving the accuracy goals is to establish and follow a quality assurance program designed to monitor all aspects of the calibration program and to provide the appropriate feedback mechanism if adjustments are needed. In the United States there are a number of organizations with laboratory accreditation programs.

All existing accreditation programs require that the laboratory implement a quality assurance program with essentially the same elements in all of these programs. Although the Service comprises the approved individual monitoring services of both external and internal radiation, this paper is specific to the actions taken by the External Dosimetry Service, including personal and environmental dosimetry laboratories , to gain accreditation and the reflections of 3 y of operational experience as an accredited laboratory. Published by Oxford University Press.

For Permissions, please email: Participation in interlaboratory comparisons provides laboratories an opportunity for independent assessment of their analytical performance, both in absolute way and in comparison with those by other techniques. However, such comparisons are hindered by differences in the way laboratories participate, e. These considerations are discussed in relation to the way results from interlaboratory comparisons are evaluated by accreditation bodies following the requirements of Clause 5.

The discussion and conclusions come largely forth from experiences in the author's own laboratory. The original standards have been in use since and it was recognised that extensive revision was required. A standards revision group was established by CPA and this group used several international standards as source references, so that the resulting new standards are compatible with the most recent international reference sources. The aim is to make the assessment of medical laboratories as objective as possible in the future. CPA plans to introduce these standards in the UK in following extensive consultation with professional bodies, piloting in selected laboratories , and training of assessors.

Notice of accreditation of SEA, Ltd. Sense and nonsense in the process of accreditation of a pathology laboratory. The aim of accreditation of a pathology laboratory is to control and optimize, in a permanent manner, good professional practice in clinical and molecular pathology, as defined by internationally established standards. Accreditation of a pathology laboratory is a key element in fine in increasing recognition of the quality of the analyses performed by a laboratory and in improving the care it provides to patients.

One of the accreditation standards applied to clinical chemistry and pathology laboratories in the European Union is the ISO norm.

Continued functioning of a pathology laboratory might in time be determined by whether or not it has succeeded the accreditation process. Necessary requirements for accreditation , according to the ISO norm, include an operational quality management system and continuous control of the methods used for diagnostic purposes. Given these goals, one would expect that all pathologists would agree on the positive effects of accreditation. Yet, some of the requirements stipulated in the accreditation standards, coming from the bodies that accredit pathology laboratories , and certain normative issues are perceived as arduous and sometimes not adapted to or even useless in daily pathology practice.

The aim of this review is to elaborate why it is necessary to obtain accreditation but also why certain requirements for accreditation might be experienced as inappropriate. Background Internationally- accredited laboratories are recognised for their superior test reliability, operational performance, quality management and competence.

Conclusions From our experience, accreditation was made possible by institutional commitment, strong laboratory leadership, staff motivation, adequate infrastructure and a comprehensive action plan. Sample handling and care of the patient were combined to achieve an integrated management system. We explain the development of the management system, the obstacles and benefits of the system and concluding that it is possible to design a management system based on ISO for the university lab that allowed delivering results assuring technical competence to patient care and welfare.

Although transplantation of solid organs has become a more standardized method of treatment, liver transplantation represents an exceptional multidisciplinary clinical procedure requiring understanding of specific pathophysiological changes that occur in the end stage of liver disease. Liver transplantation has been performed at Merkur University Hospital since , with transplantations performed to date.

The most common indications are alcohol liver disease, cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B and C virus, hepatocellular carcinoma and cryptogenetic liver cirrhosis. Laboratory tests required for liver transplantation are performed at Department of Clinical Chemistry, Merkur University Hospital, accredited according to ISO in for the areas of clinical chemistry, laboratory hematology and coagulation, laboratory immunology-cell immunophenotyping, and molecular diagnosis. The complexity of liver transplant patients requires constant interaction between the anesthesiologist team and clinical laboratory , which has to ensure fast and efficient intraoperative monitoring of biochemical and liver profile: Dynamics of intraoperative changes is measured in whole arterial blood samples on a Nova Biomedical Stat Profile Critical Care Xpress mobile acid-base analyzer.

Frequent monitoring of ionized calcium and magnesium levels is very important because of citrated blood transfusion and for appropriate therapeutic procedure. During anhepatic stage, there is a progressive increase in lactate level concentration. After reperfusion, a rapid increase in lactate clearance is an excellent indicator of stable graft initial function and its adequate size. During the transplantation procedure, there is usually a biphasic acid-base disturbance characterized by metabolic acidosis and then by metabolic alkalosis. Comments on this notice must be Solid laboratory calibration of a nonimaging spectroradiometer.

Field-based nonimaging spectroradiometers are often used in vicarious calibration experiments for airborne or spaceborne imaging spectrometers. The calibration uncertainties associated with these ground measurements contribute substantially to the overall modeling error in radiance- or reflectance-based vicarious calibration experiments. Because of limitations in the radiometric stability of compact field spectroradiometers, vicarious calibration experiments are based primarily on reflectance measurements rather than on radiance measurements.

To characterize the overall uncertainty of radiance-based approaches and assess the sources of uncertainty, we carried out a full laboratory calibration. This laboratory calibration of a nonimaging spectroradiometer is based on a measurement plan targeted at achieving a calibration. The individual calibration steps include characterization of the signal-to-noise ratio, the noise equivalent signal, the dark current, the wavelength calibration , the spectral sampling interval, the nonlinearity, directional and positional effects, the spectral scattering, the field of view, the polarization, the size-of-source effects, and the temperature dependence of a particular instrument.

We describe our process for quality improvement QI for a 3-year accreditation cycle in echocardiography by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission IAC for a large group practice. Echocardiographic laboratory accreditation by the IAC was introduced in , which is not required but could impact reimbursement. To ensure high-quality patient care and community recognition as a facility committed to providing high-quality echocardiographic services, we applied for IAC accreditation in Currently, there is little published data regarding the IAC process to meet echocardiography standards.

We describe our approach for developing a multicampus QI process for echocardiographic laboratory accreditation during the 3-year cycle of accreditation by the IAC. We developed a quarterly review assessing 1 the variability of the interpretations, 2 the quality of the examinations, 3 a correlation of echocardiographic studies with other imaging modalities, 4 the timely completion of reports, 5 procedure volume, 6 maintenance of Continuing Medical Education credits by faculty, and 7 meeting Appropriate Use Criteria. We developed and implemented a multicampus process for QI during the 3-year accreditation cycle by the IAC for Echocardiography.

We documented both the process and the achievement of those metrics by the Echocardiography Laboratories at the Ochsner Medical Institutions. We found the QI process using IAC standards to be a continuous educational experience for our Echocardiography Laboratory physicians and staff. We offer our process as an example and guide for other echocardiography laboratories who wish to apply for such accreditation or reaccreditation. Office of Health, Safety and Security, Department of The quality management systems compliant with the ISO They have also been investigated from the analytical point of view.

Unfortunately, a low number of studies concerned the management system functioning in the accredited testing laboratories. The aim of following study was to assess the management system functioning in the accredited testing laboratories in Poland. On 8 October , 1, accredited testing laboratories were present in Poland.

There are more and more such laboratories that have various problems and different long-term experience when it comes to the implementation, maintenance and improvement of the management systems. The article describes the results of the conducted expert assessment survey carried out to examine the conditions for the functioning of a management system in an accredited laboratory. It also focuses on the characteristics of the accredited research laboratories in Poland.

The authors discuss the selection of the external and internal conditions that may affect the accredited management system. They show how the experts assessing the selected conditions were chosen. The survey results are also presented. Notice of accreditation and approval of Saybolt LP, as a commercial Improving quality management systems of laboratories in developing countries: The laboratory management framework, a tool that prescribes managerial job tasks, forms the basis of the hands-on, activity-based curriculum.

SLMTA is implemented through multiple workshops with intervening site visits to support improvement projects. SLMTA yielded observable, measurable results in the laboratories and improved patient flow and turnaround time in a laboratory simulation. The laboratory staff members were empowered to improve their own laboratories by using existing resources, communicate with clinicians and hospital administrators, and advocate for system strengthening. The SLMTA program supports laboratories by improving management and building preparedness for accreditation.

The accreditation of clinical laboratories and blood banks based on ISO is now being consolidated in Mexico, and is coordinated by the Mexican accreditation entity innovative strategies, A. The active participation in working groups formed by the technical committee of clinical laboratories and blood banks in specific areas, has contributed to the formulation of technical documents and criteria of evaluation that strengthen the current accreditation scheme.

The national registry of evaluation PNE consists of technical experts and evaluators from different disciplines of clinical laboratory ; the evaluators actively participate in accreditation assessment, with an ultimate goal to receive training and feedback for continuous improvement of its own performance. Implementation of quality management systems and progress towards accreditation of National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratories in Africa.

Background Laboratory services are essential at all stages of the tuberculosis care cascade, from diagnosis and drug resistance testing to monitoring response to treatment. Enabling access to quality services is a challenge in low-resource settings. Implementation of a strong quality management system QMS and laboratory accreditation are key to improving patient care. Method An online questionnaire was administered to NTRL managers in 47 World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa member states in the region, between February and April , regarding the knowledge of QMS tools and progress toward implementation to inform strategies for tuberculosis diagnostic services strengthening in the region.

Results A total of 21 laboratories Most NTRLs participated in acid-fast bacilli microscopy external quality assurance Barriers to accreditation included lack of training and accreditation programmes. Conclusion Good foundations are in place on the continent from which to scale up accreditation efforts. Laboratory audits should be conducted as a first step in developing quality improvement action plans. Political commitment and strong leadership are needed to drive accreditation efforts; advocacy will require clear evidence of patient impact and cost.

Medical laboratories play a central role in health care. Many laboratories are taking a more focused and stringent approach to quality system management. We analyzed the results of the KEQAS to identify significant differences between laboratories with or without KLAP and to determine the impact of laboratory standardization on the accuracy of diagnostic tests. As a statistical parameter to assess performance bias between laboratories , we compared 4-yr variance index score VIS between the two groups with or without KLAP.

Confidence intervals for the mean of each test in the two groups accredited and non- accredited did not overlap, suggesting that the means of the groups are significantly different. These results confirmed that practice standardization is strongly associated with the accuracy of test results. Our study emphasizes the necessity of establishing a system for standardization of diagnostic testing. Developing a customised approach for strengthening tuberculosis laboratory quality management systems toward accreditation. The object of validation is checking the fact that the measurement conditions and the equation used to get the final result include all influences that could affect it.

For validation studies, a series of checks is made: Laboratory quality improvement in Thailand's northernmost provinces. In Thailand nearly public health laboratories serve 65 million people. A qualified indicator of a good quality laboratory is Thailand Medical Technology Council certification.

Consequently, Chiang Rai Regional Medical Sciences Center established a development program for laboratory certification for 29 laboratories in the province. This paper seeks to examine this issue. The goal was to improve laboratory service quality by voluntary participation, peer review, training and compliance with standards. The program consisted of specific activities. Training and workshops to update laboratory staffs' quality management knowledge were organized. Staff in each laboratory performed a self-assessment using a standard check-list to evaluate ten laboratory management areas.

Chiang Rai Regional Medical Sciences Center staff supported the distribution of quality materials and documents. They provided calibration services for laboratory equipment. Peer groups performed an internal audit and successful laboratories received Thailand Medical Technology Council certification. By December , eight of the 29 laboratories had improved quality sufficiently to be certified.

Factors that influenced laboratories ' readiness for quality improvement included the number of staff, their knowledge, budget and staff commitment to the process. Moreover, the support of each hospital's laboratory working group or network was essential for success. There was no clear policy for supporting the program. Laboratories voluntarily conducted quality management using existing resources.

A bottom-up approach to this kind of project can be difficult to accomplish. Laboratory professionals can work together to illustrate and highlight outcomes for top-level health officials. A top-down, practical approach would be much less difficult to implement. Quality certification is a critical step for laboratory staff, which also encourages them to aspire to international quality standards like ISO.

Public health laboratory quality management in a developing country. The article aims to give an overview of the system of public health laboratory quality management in Thailand and to produce a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats SWOT analysis that is relevant to public health laboratories in the country. The systems for managing laboratory quality that are currently employed were described in the first component. The second component was a SWOT analysis, which used the opinions of laboratory professionals to identify any areas that could be improved to meet quality management systems.

Various quality management systems were identified and the number of laboratories that met both international and national quality management requirements was different. The SWOT analysis found the opportunities and strengths factors offered the best chance to improve laboratory quality management in the country. The results are based on observations and brainstorming with medical laboratory professionals who can assist laboratories in accomplishing quality management.

The factors derived from the analysis can help improve laboratory quality management in the country. This paper provides viewpoints and evidence-based approaches for the development of best possible practice of services in public health laboratories. The Role of the Public-Private Partnership. Nonstandardized specimen-transport logistics, lack of laboratory personnel to transport specimens, lack of standard specimen containers, and long turnaround time TAT hindered access to quality laboratory services.

A joint planning and assessment committee identified gaps in the SRS for prioritization and intervention and piloted the system in Addis Ababa and Amhara Region. The PPP established standardized, streamlined specimen logistics, using the Ethiopian Postal Service Enterprise to support a laboratory network in which facilities referred specimens to laboratories. The PPP supported procuring standard specimen containers and the training of laboratory personnel and 81 postal workers. The average TAT was reduced from 7 days range, days to 2 days range, days in Addis Ababa and from 10 days range, days to 5 days range, days in Amhara Region.

This study highlights the feasibility and untapped potential of PPPs to strengthen laboratory systems. This planned and structured approach to improving specimen referral enhanced access to quality laboratory services. For permissions, e-mail journals. Firstly, the key points of laboratory quality control system was described, including the managements and organizing, quality control documents and information management, instrument, reagents and supplies, assessment, facilities design and space allocation, laboratory maintenance and biosecurity.

Secondly, the application of quality control methods in the whole process of the Ebola virus detection, including before the test, during the test and after the test, was analyzed. The excellent and professional laboratory staffs, the implementation of humanized management are the cornerstone of the success; High-level biological safety protection is the premise for effective quality control and completion of Ebola virus detection tasks.

And professional logistics is prerequisite for launching the laboratory diagnosis of Ebola virus. Indoor Air Quality in Chemistry Laboratories. This paper presents air quality and ventilation data from an existing chemical laboratory facility and discusses the work practice changes implemented in response to deficiencies in ventilation. General methods for improving air quality in existing laboratories are presented and investigation techniques for characterizing air quality are….

This document provides quality assurance guidelines and quality control requirements for analytical services. The S Laboratory provides analytical services to various clients including, but not limited to, waste characterization for the Tank Waste Remediation Systems TWRS , waste characterization for regulatory waste treatment, storage, and disposal TSD , regulatory compliance samples, radiation screening, process samples, and TPA samples. A graded approach is applied on the level of sample custody, QC, data verification, and data reporting to meet the specific needs of the client.

Procedure for implementing the system of quality management in the testing laboratory of the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Sancti Spiritus. Full Text Available Implementation of Quality Management System in testing laboratories offers the possibility of its accreditation and a frame for cooperation with other organizations, supporting information and experience exchange, as well as standards and procedures harmonization.

We recommend an auto evaluation method, designed by authors, to verify quality management system accomplishment. Issues ignored in laboratory quality surveillance. According to the work requirement of the related laboratory quality surveillance in ISO, this paper analyzed and discussed the issued ignored in the laboratory quality surveillance. In order to solve the present problem, it is required to understand the work responsibility in the quality surveillance correctly, to establish the effective working routine in the quality surveillance, and to conduct, the quality surveillance work.

The quality supervisors shall be fully authorized, so that they can correctly understand the work responsibility in quality surveillance, and are with the rights for 'full supervision'. The laboratory also shall arrange necessary training to the quality supervisor, so that they can obtain sufficient guide in time and are with required qualification or occupation prerequisites. Road Transportable Analytical Laboratory system. This developmental effort clearly shows that a Road Transportable Analytical Laboratory System is a worthwhile and achievable goal.

The RTAL is designed to fully analyze radioanalytes, and organic and inorganic chemical analytes 20 samples per day at the highest levels of quality assurance and quality control. It dramatically reduces the turnaround time for environmental sample analysis from 45 days at a central commercial laboratory to 1 day.

The DOE's internal study of sample analysis needs projects , environmental samples requiring analysis in FY , clearly supporting the need for the RTAL system. The cost and time savings achievable with the RTAL system will accelerate and improve the efficiency of cleanup and remediation operations throughout the DOE complex. Development and operation of a quality assurance system for deviations from standard operating procedures in a clinical cell therapy laboratory.

Errors and accidents, or deviations from standard operating procedures, other policy, or regulations must be documented and reviewed, with corrective actions taken to assure quality performance in a cellular therapy laboratory. Though expectations and guidance for deviation management exist, a description of the framework for the development of such a program is lacking in the literature. Here we describe our deviation management program, which uses a Microsoft Access database and Microsoft Excel to analyze deviations and notable events, facilitating quality assurance QA functions and ongoing process improvement.

Data is stored in a Microsoft Access database with an assignment to one of six deviation type categories. Deviation events are evaluated for potential impact on patient and product, and impact scores for each are determined using a 0- 4 grading scale. An immediate investigation occurs, and corrective actions are taken to prevent future similar events from taking place.

Additionally, deviation data is collectively analyzed on a quarterly basis using Microsoft Excel, to identify recurring events or developing trends. Between January 1, and December 31, over products were processed at our laboratory. Real-time analysis and quarterly review of deviations using our deviation management program allows for identification and correction of deviations.

Monitoring of deviation trends allows for process improvement and overall successful functioning of the QA program in the cell therapy laboratory. Our deviation management program could serve as a model for other laboratories in. Purdue Hydrogen Systems Laboratory. The Hydrogen Systems Laboratory in a unique partnership between Purdue University's main campus in West Lafayette and the Calumet campus was established and its capabilities were enhanced towards technology demonstrators. The laboratory engaged in basic research in hydrogen production and storage and initiated engineering systems research with performance goals established as per the USDOE Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Infrastructure Technologies Program.

In the chemical storage and recycling part of the project, we worked towards maximum recycling yield via novel chemical selection and novel recycling pathways. With the basic potential of a large hydrogen yield from AB, we used it as an example chemical but have also discovered its limitations. Further, we discovered alternate storage chemicals that appear to have advantages over AB.

We demonstrated vehicle scale aqueous and non-aqueous slurry reactors to address various engineering issues in on-board chemical hydrogen storage systems.

We measured the thermal properties of raw and spent AB. Further, we conducted experiments to determine reaction mechanisms and kinetics of hydrothermolysis in hydride-rich solutions and slurries. We also developed a continuous flow reactor and a laboratory scale fuel cell power generation system. The biological hydrogen production work summarized as Task 4. An automated testing device was used to finalize optimal hydrogen production conditions using statistical procedures.

A 3 L commercial fermentor New Brunswick, BioFlo was used to finalize testing of larger samples and to consider issues related to scale up. Quality assurance plan for the data acquisition and management system for monitoring the fuel oil spill at the Sandia National Laboratories installation in Livermore, California. In February , the accidental puncture of an underground transfer line buried about 4 ft below the ground surface at the SNL installation in Livermore, California, resulted in the release of approximately This report describes the formal quality assurance plan that will be used for the data acquisition and management system developed to monitor a bioremediation pilot study by Argonne National Laboratory in association with Sandia National Laboratories.

The data acquisition and management system will record the site data during the bioremediation effort and assist users in site analysis. The designs of the three major subsystems of this system are described in this report. Quality assurance criteria are defined for the management, performance, and assessment of the system. Finally, the roles and responsibilities for configuration management of this system are defined for the entire life cycle of the project.

The purpose of this study was to develop and implement a hypertext documentation system in an industrial laboratory and to evaluate its usefulness by participative observation and a questionnaire. Existing word-processing test method documentation was converted directly into a hypertext format or "hyperdocument.

These state systems collectively are related to several other recent public health laboratory PHL initiatives. Another is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Laboratory System NLS initiative, the goal of which is to promote public-private collaboration to assure quality laboratory services and public health surveillance.

General Electric's Nuclear Fuel Department data system strategy of multifunctional system integration and specific applications of data systems for the Quality Assurance Programme is detailed. Descriptions of two manufacturing control systems and their function in satisfying quality data requirements are included. The timesharing quality data system developed for processing laboratory , traceability and material release data in the Fuel Manufacturing Operation is described.

In addition, specific references are made to those areas where significant time reductions have been realized through the utilization of mechanized data-handling systems. Requirements for quality and competence of medical laboratories , experience of a laboratory I. Medical laboratories are the key partners in patient safety. Quality of laboratory service is the major factor which directly affects the quality of health care. The clinical laboratory as a whole has to provide the best patient care promoting excellence. Accredited medical laboratories enhance credibility and competency of their testing services.

Our group of laboratories , one of the leading institutions in the area, had previous experience with ISO and ISO Accreditation at non-medical sections. We started to prepared for ISO Accreditation at the beginning of and were certified in March, We spent more than a year to prepare for accreditation. Accreditation scopes of our laboratory were as follows: The total number of accredited tests is We participate in five different PT programs.

Our laboratory also organizes a PT program for flow cytometry. We serve more than customers on a real time basis. Our quality management system is also documented and processed electronically, Document Management System DMS , via our intranet.

Preparatory phase for accreditation, data management, external quality control programs, personnel related issues before, during and after accreditation process are presented. Quality in laboratory medicine: The last 50years have seen substantial changes in the landscape of laboratory medicine: The need to control and improve quality in clinical laboratories has grown hand in hand with the growth in technological developments leading to an impressive reduction of analytical errors over time.

An essential cause of this impressive improvement has been the introduction and monitoring of quality indicators QIs such as the analytical performance specifications in particular bias and imprecision based on well-established goals. The evolving landscape of quality and errors in clinical laboratories moved first from analytical errors to all errors performed within the laboratory walls, subsequently to errors in laboratory medicine including errors in test requesting and result interpretation , and finally, to a focus on errors more frequently associated with adverse events laboratory -associated errors.

After decades in which clinical laboratories have focused on monitoring and improving internal indicators of analytical quality , efficiency and productivity, it is time to shift toward indicators of total quality , clinical effectiveness and patient outcomes. A web-based laboratory information system to improve quality of care of tuberculosis patients in Peru: Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis patients in resource-poor settings experience large delays in starting appropriate treatment and may not be monitored appropriately due to an overburdened laboratory system , delays in communication of results, and missing or error-prone laboratory data.

The objective of this paper is to describe an electronic laboratory information system implemented to alleviate these problems and its expanding use by the Peruvian public sector, as well as examine the broader issues of implementing such systems in resource-poor settings. A web-based laboratory information system "e-Chasqui" has been designed and implemented in Peru to improve the timeliness and quality of laboratory data. It was deployed in the national TB laboratory , two regional laboratories and twelve pilot health centres. Using needs assessment and workflow analysis tools, e-Chasqui was designed to provide for improved patient care, increased quality control, and more efficient laboratory monitoring and reporting.

Since its full implementation in March , 29, smear microscopy, 31, culture and 7, drug susceptibility test results have been entered. High user satisfaction and heavy use have led to the expansion of e-Chasqui to additional institutions. In total, e-Chasqui will serve a network of institutions providing medical care for over 3. Electronic laboratory information systems have a large potential to improve patient care and public health monitoring in resource-poor settings. Some of the challenges faced in these settings, such as lack of trained personnel, limited transportation, and large coverage areas, are obstacles that a well-designed system can overcome.

The article presents the approaches to development and implementation of system of quality management in laboratory as an integral part of the given system in whole medical institution. The costs of works execution concerning quality support are to be weighted with economic profitability and timeliness of medical care provision to ill people considering pre-analytic stage out- laboratory and in- laboratory laboratory analysis.

Factually it is a matter of development of system of balanced indicators concerning quality management of institution and laboratory functioning. The emphasis is made on the necessity of training of administrations of laboratories in the field of quality management and economics of laboratory business.

Service quality framework for clinical laboratories. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate a service quality framework that enhances service delivery in clinical laboratories by gauging medical practitioner satisfaction and by providing avenues for continuous improvement.

The case study method has been used for conducting the exploratory study, with focus on the Mauritian public clinical laboratory. A structured questionnaire based on the SERVQUAL service quality model was used for data collection, analysis and for the development of the service quality framework. The study confirms the pertinence of the following service quality dimensions within the context of clinical laboratories: The service quality framework developed, termed LabSERV, is vital for clinical laboratories in the search for improving service delivery to medical practitioners.

This is a pioneering work carried out in the clinical laboratory sector in Mauritius. Medical practitioner expectations and perceptions have been simultaneously considered to generate a novel service quality framework for clinical laboratories. Selecting clinical quality indicators for laboratory medicine. Quality in laboratory medicine is often described as doing the right test at the right time for the right person. Laboratory processes currently operate under the oversight of an accreditation body which gives confidence that the process is good. However, there are aspects of quality that are not measured by these processes.

These are largely focused on ensuring that the most clinically appropriate test is performed and interpreted correctly. Clinical quality indicators were selected through a two-phase process. Firstly, a series of focus groups of clinical scientists were held with the aim of developing a list of quality indicators. These were subsequently ranked in order by an expert panel of primary and secondary care physicians. The 10 top indicators included the communication of critical results, comprehensive education to all users and adequate quality assurance for point-of-care testing.

Laboratories should ensure their tests are used to national standards, that they have clinical utility, are calibrated to national standards and have long-term stability for chronic disease management. Laboratories should have error logs and demonstrate evidence of measures introduced to reduce chances of similar future errors. Laboratories should make a formal scientific evaluation of analytical quality. This paper describes the process of selection of quality indicators for laboratory medicine that have been validated sequentially by deliverers and users of the service.

They now need to be converted into measureable variables related to outcome and validated in practice. Federal Laboratory Consortium — This laboratory is a 40 by 28 by 9 foot facility that is equipped with tools for the development of various items of control technology related to the transmission Quality assurance for analitical dairy laboratories.

Full Text Available Quality evaluation of analytical laboratories must be estimated through accuracy, precision and traceability of measurement results. This paper presents examples of traceability, measurement uncertainty, inner quality control and control through the interlaboratory proficiency testing of results for milk fat. Also it demonstrates proficiency testing organization of results for fat, protein, lactose and somatic cells in milk. The Computational Sensorimotor Systems Laboratory.

Federal Laboratory Consortium — The Computational Sensorimotor Systems Lab focuses on the exploration, analysis, modeling and implementation of biological sensorimotor systems for both scientific A case study is presented on specific program elements that supported the transition of a temporary field radiological screening lab to an accredited operation capable of meeting client quality objectives for definitive results data. Analysis methods employed in the on-site lab include gross counting of alpha and beta particle activity on swipes and air filters and gamma spectroscopy of soils and other solid samples.

A discussion of key program elements and lessons learned may help other organizations considering pursuit of accreditation for on-site screening laboratories. Propulsion Systems Laboratory , Bldg. Quality documentation challenges for veterinary clinical pathology laboratories. Compliance with any certification standard or quality management system requires quality documentation, an activity that may present several unique challenges in the case of veterinary laboratories. Research specifically addressing quality documentation is conspicuously absent in the veterinary literature.

This article provides an overview of the quality system documentation needed to comply with a quality management system with an emphasis on preparing written standard operating procedures specific for veterinary laboratories. Documentation challenges include the establishment of quality requirements for veterinary tests, the use or modification of human analytic methods for animal samples, the limited availability of quality control materials satisfactory for veterinary clinical pathology laboratories , the limited availability of veterinary proficiency programs, and the complications in establishing species-specific reference intervals.

Quality control activities in the environmental radiology laboratory. During the last twenty years many analytical laboratories have implemented quality assurance systems. A quality system implementation requires documentation of all activities technical and management , evaluation of these activities and its continual improvement.

Implementation and adequate management of all the elements a quality system includes are not enough to guarantee quality of the analytical results generated at a time. That is the aim of a group of specific activities labelled as quality control activities. In these kind of laboratories , given the importance of the results they give, quality control activities become an essential aspect.

In such as system , it is established, the laboratory shall monitor the validity of tests undertaken and data shall be recorded in such a way that trends are detectable. The present work shows the activities carried out in this way by the LRA, which are: Equipment control activities which in the special case of radiochemical techniques include measurement of backgrounds and blanks as well as periodical control of efficiency and resolution.

Activities to assure the specifications settled by method validation, which are testing of reference materials and periodical analysis of control samples. Evaluation of the laboratory work quality. Up-to-date laboratory methods for assessing the safety of perfumery and cosmetic products in the quality assurance system of the Russian Federation.

Full Text Available Most of the developed countries as well as Russian Federation have a dynamically developing quality assurance system for testing the quality of laboratory tests and safety of perfumery and cosmetic products entering the market comprising a regulatory and legal framework, physical infrastructure and appropriate methodical basis and staff. At the same time, it is necessary to develop alternative test methods adjusted to perfumery and cosmetic products on a regular basis. In addition, it is necessary to optimize methods for ensuring standard sample preparation conditions in response to new forms of cosmetic products when determining microbiological, physical, chemical and toxicological characteristics, and more accurate observation methods for clinical and laboratory indices to be approved by supervising authorities.

Environmental Quality Laboratory Research Report, The Environmental Quality Laboratory at Caltech is a center for research on large-scale systems problems of natural resources and environmental quality. The principal areas of investigation at EQL are: Water resources and water quality management.

Control of hazardous substances in the environment. Energy policy, including regulation, conservation and energy-environment tradeoffs. Resources policy other than energy ; residuals m Measurement quality assurance for radioassay laboratories. Until recently, the quality of U. The major programs have been limited to the U. In , an industry MAP was established for the nuclear power utility industry through the U. Each of these generic MAPs has been initiated and is maintained to serve the specific needs of the sponsoring agency or organization.

As a result, there is diversification in their approach, scope, requirements, and degree of traceability to NIST. Quality control for diagnostic oral microbiology laboratories in European countries. Participation in diagnostic microbiology internal and external quality control QC processes is good laboratory practice and an essential component of a quality management system. It was the intent of the writing committee to develop a guidance document that could be utilized to establish a laboratory 's specific data quality objectives DQOs that govern the operational requirements of the radioassay process, including mandated protocols and recommendations.

Extra-analytical quality indicators and laboratory performances. In the last few years much progress has been made in raising the awareness of laboratory medicine professionals about the effectiveness of quality indicators QIs in monitoring, and improving upon, performances in the extra-analytical phases of the Total Testing Process TTP. An effective system for management of QIs includes the implementation of an internal assessment system and participation in inter- laboratory comparison. A well-designed internal assessment system allows the identification of critical activities and their systematic monitoring.

Active participation in inter- laboratory comparison provides information on the performance level of one laboratory with respect to that of other participating laboratories. Data from participating laboratories are collected monthly and reports describing the statistical results and evaluating laboratory data, utilizing the Six Sigma metric, issued regularly. Although the results demonstrate that the processes need to be improved upon, overall the comparison with data collected in shows a general stability of quality levels and that an improvement has been achieved over time for some activities.

The continuous monitoring of QI data allows identification all possible improvements, thus highlighting the value of participation in the inter- laboratory program proposed by WG-LEPS. The active participation of numerous laboratories will guarantee an ever more significant State-of-the-Art, promote the reduction of errors and improve quality of the TTP, thus guaranteeing patient safety. CNEA's quality system documentation. Records and other documents.

The objective of this work is to present a standardization of the documentation of the CNEA's quality system of facilities, laboratories , services, and R and D activities. Considering the diversity of criteria and formats for elaboration the documentation by different departments, and since ultimately each of them generally includes the same quality management policy, we proposed the elaboration of a system in order to improve the documentation, avoiding unnecessary time wasting and costs.

This will aloud each sector to focus on their specific documentation. The quality manuals of the atomic centers fulfill the rule 3. They are designed by groups of competent and highly trained people of different departments. The normative procedures are elaborated with the same methodology as the quality manuals. The quality plans which describe the organizational structure of working group and the appropriate documentation, will asses the quality manuals of facilities, laboratories , services, and research and development activities of atomic centers.

The responsibilities for approval of the normative documentation are assigned to the management in charge of the administration of economic and human resources in order to fulfill the institutional objectives. Another improvement aimed to eliminate unnecessary invaluable processes is the inclusion of all quality system 's normative documentation in the CNEA intranet.

Phlebotomy and quality in the African laboratory. Full Text Available Phlebotomy, the act of drawing blood through venepuncture, is one of the most common medical procedures in healthcare, as well as being a basis for diagnosis and treatment. A review of the available research has highlighted the dearth of information on the phlebotomy practice in Africa. Several studies elsewhere have shown that the pre-analytical phase patient preparation, specimen collection and identification, transportation, preparation for analysis and storage is the most error-prone process in laboratory medicine.

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