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Purpose
The Sample Tracking Work Queues section of LIMS is used to process generic samples that have been checked into the lab and need to be tested. The following workflow functions are performed in this module:
- Specimens are "received" into the lab (after field technicians check specimens into the lab)
- Tests are assigned to specimens
- Tests are performed and results recorded on configured forms
- Test results are approved from a lab perspective and made available for reporting in the Quality Control module
Filter Pane
The filter pane can be used to filter the underlying queue data by a variety of variables. Filter controls that appear are configured in the Administration module by your MetaField administrator. Filter sets can be saved for future use in the Select A Filter pick list. To provide more screen space, the filter pane can be collapsed using the arrow on the right side of the header bar.
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Left Navigation
| Tip |
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The left navigation pane can be exposed / hidden by using the button with the three lines to the left of bread crumb links. |
Common Grid Icons
| Icon | Description |
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| Pencil | - Edits the test information
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| X | |
| - Displays sample / specimen (field) data
- Data is editable with the appropriate permission level
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| Folder | - Opens lab (test) documents related to a test
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| - Displays a list of reports a test is reported on
- Only available in the Done queue
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| - Displays Lab instructions assigned to the sample
- Only available in the To Receive and Tests To Assign queues
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Work Queues
To Receive
The To Receive queue shows all specimens that have been checked into the lab but have not been "received" into the lab workflow yet.
| Button | Description |
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| Receive Specimen | - "Receives" the specimen into the lab workflow
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| Print Receiving List | - Prints a paper receiving list that can be used to audit the receiving process in the lab
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Change Lab | - Specimen can be associated to another lab if checked into the incorrect lab by mistake
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| No Tests For Specimen | - Marks a specimen as having no lab tests and will terminate its workflow in the lab
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| Add Specimen | - Adds an additional specimen to the selected sample
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| Add Sample | - Adds a brand new sample - user is ported to the Quality Control module to enter the sample
- Useful when samples are dropped off in the lab by contractors where field staff was not involved in gathering the sample / specimens
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Tests To Assign
The Test To Assign queue shows all specimens that have been received into the lab workflow that need to have specific lab tests assigned to them.
| Button | Description |
|---|
| Assign Test(s) | - User is able to see the requested tests (Lab Instructions) and "assign" a test to a particular specimen
- Can optionally create new specimens during the assignment process - "splitting a specimen" (i.e. a large bag of soil arrives from the field and divided into smaller specimen sizes for testing)
- Multiple lab tests can be associated with one specimen (i.e. specimens that are tested multiple time and not destroyed during the previous test)
See the Assigning Tests sections below for detailed information on how tests are associated with specimens. |
Change Lab | See Change Lab Above |
| Add Specimen | See Add Specimen Above |
| Add Sample | See Add Sample Above |
Assigning Tests
| Info |
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The general premise of the test assignment process is to indicate which specimen you want to execute the requested tests on. In addition, this process allows you to systematically split a specimen along with retaining a portion of a sample / specimen for future testing needs. |
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| Field / Control | Function |
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| Add Test (Button) | - Adds an additional test that needs to be performed
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| Apply Test Group (Button) | - Adds a grouping of tests that can be assigned at once.
- Optional
- Test Groups can be maintained in Administration > LIMS/Samples > Test Groups. For more information, see the LIMS/Samples - Test Groups page.
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| Specimen Number (Field) | - Allows you to assign a test to a particular specimen by selecting a stand alone number (existing specimen number) in the pick list
- Allows you to systematically create a new specimen / split a specimen by selecting a "New Split _" item in the pick list
- Multiple tests can be assigned to a given existing or new specimen
| Info |
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Specimen numbers will default based on the selected specimens from the Tests To Assign work queue grid. |
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| Test (Field) | - Specific test that needs to be performed
| Info |
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If project-specific tests are defined in Project Administration (Specifications), only those defined tests will be displayed to the user in this pick list. |
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| Comments (Field) | - Comments regarding the requested test from the Lab Instructions
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| Test Duration (Field) | - How many days it takes to perform the test
- Optional - Will only display if it is defined on the Test form in Administration
- Helpful when determining the Test Age / Test Date to assign to the test
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| Specimen Size (Field) | - Size of the specimen the test will be performed on
- Will default if the Default Test Specimen Size is defined on the Test Form properties in Administration
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| Test Age (Field) | - Test Age (days from the Sample Date) the test should be performed (start)
- Interrelated with the Test Date - if the Test Date value changes, the Test Age will recalculate
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| Test Date (Field) | - Date the test should be performed (start)
- Interrelated with the Test Age - if the Test Age value changes, the Test Date will change
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| Lab Technician (Field) | - Lab Technician assigned to perform the test
- Optional
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| Test Notes (Field) | - Specific notes / instructions for the lab technician
- Defaults from Specifications if defined
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| Test Cost (Field) | - Customer cost to perform the test
- Defaults from Specifications or Administration if defined
- Optional
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| Billing Test Code (Field) | - Accounting code associated with the test
- Defaults from Test Form properties if defined
- Can be variable based on test specific data using calculation rules defined on the form field
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| Billing Test Quantity (Field) | - Quantity that is associated with the test for accounting purposes
- Defaults to 1
- Can be variable based on test specific data using calculation rules defined on the form field
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| X (Button) | - Deletes the test / Lab Instruction record
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| Specimen To Retain For Future Testing (Field) | - Defines the specimen number that should be retained for potential future use / future tests requested on that sample
- You can't assign a specimen number to a test on this screen if it has been designated for future use
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| Save (Button) | - Saves the Test Assignment screen and associates the defined tests with the appropriate specimens
- Systematically splits specimens and creates new specimen records as needed
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| Cancel (Button) | - Cancels the Test Assignment process
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| Batch Fill Controls (Button) | - Applies the same value to all tests in the grid
- Added to the majority of columns in the grid
- Optional
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Testable
The Testable queue shows all tests that are waiting for the Test Date to arrive. This will include tests in progress with a Next Test Action Date and no Test Completed Date where the Next Test Action Date is in the future.
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| Button | Description |
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| Add Test | See Add Test Above |
Modify Test Date | - Test Date can be changed for a test
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| Change Lab | - Specimen can be associated to another lab if checked into the incorrect lab by mistake
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| Print Early Test List | - Prints a report of the tests schedule for a future test date
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| Add Specimen | See Add Specimen Above |
To Test
The To Test queue shows all tests where the test date equals the system date or prior. Overdue tests are highlighted in a red shading. This will include test in progress with a Next Test Action Date and not Test Completed Date where the Next Test Action Date = system date (today).
| Button | Description |
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| Enter Test Results | - Opens the configured test form to enter test data / results
- If multiple records for the same test form are selected, a batch entry grid will display to enter results (if the test form is configured for batch entry)
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| Add Test | See Add Test Above |
| Print Test List | - Prints a report of the tests schedule for today
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| Add Specimen | See Add Specimen Above |
To
view field (sample / specimen) data when entering test results, click the Show Sample / Specimen Data button at the bottom of the Enter Results screen. This will open another browser tab with the sample / specimen data data.
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To Review
The To Review queue shows all completed test that are awaiting lab review and approval.
| Button | Description |
|---|
| Approve | - Marks the test as "Approved" (Approve By, Date Approved)
- Changes the status of the test (in QC) from Lab-Review to Analyzed
- Project manager is alerted in their Dashboard queue
- Only users with appropriate permissions can approve LIMS results
- User will be asked if they want to generate a batch report (can be generated across multiple projects)
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| Add Test | See Add Test Above |
| Edit Test | - Opens the test form to edit test data / results
- If multiple records for the same test form are selected, a batch entry grid will display to enter results (if the test form is configured for batch entry)
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| Open In QC | |
| Add Specimen | See Add Specimen Above |
| Preview Report | - Generates a preview of the test report
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| Preview Average Strength | - Displays the average compressive strength values
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Done
The Done queue shows all tests that have been completed and approved in the lab. The queue will default to the most recent 30 days of tests, but can be broadened or narrowed if needed.
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