Transcription free integration between ABSciex LC MS-MS and iSOFT's Telepath for Vitamin D Analysis

Nov. 1, 2011 - PRLog -- Vitamin D is essential in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, as well as having roles in protection against certain cancers and in immunity. There are two forms of vitamin D – vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. The major source of vitamin D is cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D3 upon exposure to UV radiation, whilst dietary sources of vitamin D2 and D3 are limited in most individuals.

Since 2006 the number of Vitamin D requests has grown exponentially, and now exceeds 25,000 per annum, with the mass spectrometer in almost constant use. One of the rate determining steps in delivering the overall service to clinicians and patients is the reporting of total 25(OH)D results. Prior to reviewing the process a significant amount of time was spent carrying out keyboard or manual transcriptions between different computer systems and paper.

The workflow was:

1. gather collection of specimens and ordering

2. liquid-liquid extraction using the Tecan Evoware robot

3. manual set up of batch on mass spectrometer

4. data analysis on mass spectrometer (examination and integration of peaks; report generation)

5. manual transcription of 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 results into Telepath (total 25(OH)D calculated in Telepath and reported, D2 and D3 results are visible but not reported)

6. manual checking of results and authorisation

Aims

The overall aim of the project was to provide an error and transcription free, more rapid workflow for the setup and the reporting of vitamin D analyses, through the use of the CSols Links for LIMS instrument integration program along with barcode labels, the Tecan Evoware robot and the ABSciex Analyst® software package. The specific aims of the project were to:

•   develop a random access system to replace the use of worklists, enabled by the use of a barcode reader on the Tecan Evoware robot

•   use specimen barcode information from the Tecan Evoware robot to set up batch tables on the mass spectrometer

•   enable the easy, efficient and accurate transfer of results from Analyst® to Telepath, via CSols Links for LIMS

•   apply rules to data for reporting of 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 results below the limit of detection of the assay

•   provide practical solutions for reviewing internal quality control (IQC) data before reporting results – provide a mechanism for verification and audit of data transfer

•   provide a commercially available, fully supported solution that could be adapted to other assay methods

Conclusion
In combination with the Tecan Evoware robot barcode reader, the use of Links for LIMS in this transcription free workflow has made a number of improvements in the routine operation of vitamin D analysis:

a) Significant saving of analyst time, by removing the manual transcription steps and crosschecking of results in Telepath

b) Improved consistency of treatment of results and reduced error rates due to automatic transfer of results along with automatic reporting rules

c) Improved monitoring of assay performance through improved IQC checks and 'at-a-glance' charts

More information

CSols Ltd The Heath, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 4QX, UK
Tel:+44 (0)1928 513535      
Fax: +44 (0)7006 061 106
email: clinbio@csols.com.

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CSols is a laboratory informatics company, formed in 1990, whose dedicated passion is to maximize your return on investment by improving the effectiveness, productivity and quality of laboratories of all types. In order to deliver those goals we’ve distilled our knowledge and expertise into a range of software products and solutions that go ‘Beyond the Technology’ that is commonly used in today’s sophisticated laboratories to help you. Our products help form a seamless link between sophisticated instruments or laboratory information systems (LIMS) and the laboratory scientist, analyst or technician. CSols solutions help remove the tedium and error rates associated with manual transcription and so maximize the investment in the instrument itself, the reagents used as well as all the laboratory personnel.