Acusera 24.7 Live Online Demos – CLMA Knowledgelab 2017
Acusera 24.7 Live Online Demos – CLMA Knowledgelab 2017
We’re looking forward to meeting you at CLMA Knowledgelab, booth #338!
Live Demos
Stop by our booth for your chance to check out our Acusera 24.7 Live Online version 2.0. It’s smarter, faster and more powerful than ever before, with unique access to live peer data, accelerating troubleshooting processes and pinpointing the cause of any QC failures. Additional features include the automatic calculation of Measurement Uncertainty & Sigma Metrics, comprehensive charts, bi-directional LIMS connectivity and a complete make-over of our dashboard. Don’t miss your opportunity to see this software live.
Our Randox Consultants will also be on hand to discuss our other products available, which will help you ensure your laboratory produces results you can trust.
Acusera true third party quality controls
As a world leading manufacturer of multi-analyte, true third party controls, thousands of laboratories rely on Randox to accurately assess test system performance and ultimately empower them with the confidence required to release patient test results. With more than 390 analytes available across the Acusera range we can uniquely reduce the number of individual controls required while simultaneously reducing costs, time and storage space. A choice of formats is available ensuring flexibility and suitability for laboratories of all sizes and budgets.
Acusera Calibration Verification
Our Acusera Linearity range has been specifically designed with convenience in mind, helping you to easily meet accreditation requirements. Our liquid ready-to-use verifiers are supplied in varying levels and are available in multiple configurations to meet the specific requirements of individual analysers while challenging the complete reportable range; ultimately ensuring accurate patient testing. All linearity sets are supplied with complimentary data reduction software, providing instant access to reports and real-time peer group data.
Fabricado en Europa – Randox Control de Calidad
Ubicados en Europa, la misión de Randox Control de Calidad es la producción de materiales de alta calidad que ayuden a racionalizar los procesos de control de calidad, además de ayudar a ahorrar tiempo y dinero a cualquier laboratorio, independientemente de su tamaño y presupuesto. Gracias a nuestra extensa oferta de productos, en los que se incluyen controles internos de tercera opinión, un software para la gestión de datos inter laboratorios y una amplísima variedad de Programas de Evaluación Externa de Calidad (PEEC), podrá obtener una visión completa del rendimiento de su laboratorio.
Al ser uno de los mayores fabricantes de controles auténticamente conmutables, ofrecemos soluciones para el control de calidad económicas, de la más alta calidad y diseñadas para la evaluación de los resultados de las pruebas de los pacientes. Con nuestra gama de controles Acusera podrá controlar lo que hasta ahora le supondría hasta 4 controles diferentes con un único vial Acusera, que junto con nuestra estabilidad sin igual y la elevada vida útil, le ayudarán a ahorrar tiempo y dinero. Además, las concentraciones son clínicamente relevantes, garantizando la precisión y fiabilidad de los instrumentos a lo largo de toda la variabilidad clínica.
Acusera 24.7 gestión de datos interlaboratorios
Acusera 24.7 le permitirá obtener resultados más precisos y reducir el tiempo que implica la supervisión e interpretación de los datos del control de calidad. Además, tendrá acceso a una gran variedad de funciones como a los datos del grupo par actualizados en tiempo real y el cálculo automático de la Incertidumbre, el Error Total y las Métricas Sigma. Con Acusera 24.7 podrá asegurar la calidad de sus análisis a través de la resolución más rápida de los problemas mediante esta plataforma centralizada.
RIQAS es el Programa de Evaluación Externa de Calidad (PEEC) de preferencia, empleado por más de 45.000 participantes en 124 países. Gracias a la frecuencia de los informes, podrá identificar los errores rápidamente, reduciendo la necesidad de realizar repeticiones innecesarias y costosas, haciendo que su laboratorio ahorre tiempo y recursos valiosos.
Acusera 24•7 Live Online Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Is it possible to compare multiple instruments on a single Levey-Jennings Chart?
With Acusera 24•7 users can combine multiple instruments, as well as analytes and QC lots on a single chart. This will enable comparative performance assessment and facilitate immediate visualisation of any ongoing or emerging trends. It may also be useful for troubleshooting out of control QC events.
Is it possible to compare different levels of control on a single Levey-Jennings Chart for identification of concentration related bias?
Yes data for multiple QC lots can be displayed on a single, convenient Levey-Jennings chart allowing any concentration related problems to be identified quickly.
How often is peer group data updated?
With Acusera 24•7 Live Online, peer group data is uniquely updated live in real-time. The instant nature of the peer data will help reduce time and money spent troubleshooting, re-running QC samples and performing any instrument maintenance. With real-time peer group data you can compare to other laboratories around the globe using the same lot of QC material and identify if there are any issues and whether they are unique to your lab or a widespread issue.
Is there a limit to the number of users?
There is no limit to the number of concurrent users – you can have as many as you want. There are 5 different levels of user access – Admin, Group Co-Ordinator, Manager, User and Technical Support. It is worth noting that User access can be customised per user to ensure access to only the required functionality
How can the software help me to meet ISO 15189:2012 requirements?
Unique to Acusera 24.7 Live Online, our software will automatically calculate Measurement Uncertainty (UM) and provide your laboratory with a printable report that can be used to help meet ISO 15189:2012 accreditation requirements. In addition to this the software can help to prevent the release of patient results in the event of a QC failure for example when the Quality Control rules are violated.
Is it possible to use RiliBAK as my allowable limits?
QC data can indeed be rejected or alerted based on RiliBAK guidelines. Other options are also available, including, CLIA, Biological Variation, RIQAS TDPA and user defined performance limits.
Can I purchase Acusera 24.7 Connect without Live Online?
This is unfortunately not possible. Acusera 24.7 Connect is an additional add-on to Acusera 24.7 Live Online that will facilitate automated entry of QC data. To get the benefits of Acusera 24.7 Connect you will be required to participate in the Acusera 24.7 Live Online interlaboratory program.
Is Acusera 24.7 Live Online secure?
To authenticate users, a number of security measures are used, including; participant number, username and a password combination (for individual role-based accounts). Password complexity standards are enforced on user account setup. CAPTCHA is enforced after several failed login attempts to prevent or guard against automated attacks. HTTPS and X509 certificate authentication is in place meeting industry security standards.
I have never used interlaboratory software before, is there training provided with my purchase of 247?
There are a number of different options available in terms of training. The easiest, most convenient and accessible form of training is through the use of our walk through demo that has voice-over and text so everyone can follow. With our software comes a user guide, this is a walk through that laboratories can use to guide them through the usage of the software. Additionally, there is also the possibility of a live demo from the sales consultant in your area who will be able to run through the software with you.
Can I create unique login credentials for each user?
Yes, each user will have their own personal log-in. If a lower level user, e.g. user, technical support or manager forgets their password they can have it reset by the administrator. However, if a group co-ordinator or admin forgets their password they should contact Randox directly who will be able to reset their credentials and resend to the administrator’s email address.
I currently use non-Randox Quality Controls, does this affect the ability of the software?
Not at all, our software is so flexible that it can be used with any other manufacturers Quality Control material. However, you will only have access to the internal functions of the software and will not have access to peer group statistics. For this reason we recommend the software is used alongside our Acusera true third party Quality Control solutions.
Is Acusera 24.7 Live Online the only software option available?
Yes this is the only option available – Unlike other manufacturers there is no need for any additional software packages or options. All functionality is available in the one software package.
My computer is very old, do I need a new, modern and up-to-date operating system to run the software?
Not necessarily. As long as you have stable access to the internet you can access Acusera 24.7 Live Online as it is a cloud based software.
My patient data is confidential. Will the software need access to this data?
Acusera 24.7 will not require access to your patient data. This is important for a laboratory but less for the software. Acusera 24.7 will only need access to the results of your Quality Control to ensure that your instrument/s are performing to standard and therefore ensuring that your patient results will be reliable and accurate.
I have forgotten my username and password – what do I do now?
If an individual with user level or manager level access forgets their username and password, they should contact the laboratory administrator. If an administrator or group co-ordinator forgets their username or password they should contact Randox who will verify the administrator and send new login details for the account.
Is Acusera 24.7 Connect required to import QC data?
Acusera 24.7 Connect is only required if you wish to import QC data automatically. Data can also be entered manually using the data entry screen or in a semi-automated manner using the EDI function.
I need to renew my license, is this done automatically?
If your licence has expired and you would like to renew you should get in touch with your local Sales Consultant.
My internet connection isn’t great. Will this affect the running of the software? What happens if the signal drops when entering results?
If connection is lost from the laboratory’s side, all data will be transferred to the web and once reconnected, the previous session will also be remembered. Emergency power generators and fall over servers are in place to ensure 99.8% uptime is guaranteed.
Are there any additional software requirements?
You must have access to a Java applet. This software is available as standard on almost all modern computers, laptops and notebooks.
Acusera 24•7 Live Online V.2 – What’s New?
Acusera 24•7 Live Online – Version 2.0
Randox Quality Control are pleased to announce the launch of our brand new version 2.0 of our interlaboratory data management program – Acusera 24•7 Live Online Version 2.0.
The launch of this new version has seen major updates and improvements to the software and gives Acusera 24•7 Live Online the edge over many other competitors.
Updates to the software include real-time updates of peer data, more comprehensive charts and reports, bi-directional connectivity, speed improvements and a complete make over to the dashboard. Below, some of these updates are broken down and outlined as to why they are important for a laboratory.
Peer Group Statistics
The biggest update to Version 2.0 is definitely the ability to review peer data in real time. Previously, peer group statistics would have been updated every 24 hours, however, with this new update, data will be available to review instantly! The ability to generate peer data live in real-time will enhance the laboratory’s troubleshooting capabilities and allow labs to compare their data with others around the world. On top of this, there is no deadline for submission like some of our competitors, meaning labs can get a true reflection of performance at any time. Ultimately, labs will have the ability to identify if an issue is unique to them or if there is a widespread issue amongst their peers. Information such as this will allow laboratories to establish a root cause much quicker and therefore spend less time troubleshooting poor performance.
Reports & Charts
With version 2.0 reports and charts are more flexible than ever before. All reports can be generated for a user defined data range and will provide the lab with a whole wealth of information. Reports available on Acusera 24.7 Live Online can include; Statistical Analysis, Statistical Metrics, Audit Trail Reports and the new Exception Report. These reports, coupled with user-friendly and easy to interpret charts, such as Levey-Jennings, Histograms and Performance Summary Charts, enable rapid and stress-free performance monitoring. The ability to add multiple instruments, QC lots, analytes and events such as calibration and reagent lot changes to a single chart allows for comparative performance assessment and immediate identification of any trends.
Communication & Flexibility
The new software is now also capable of bi-directional communication with LIMS. This is a benefit to any laboratory, in the event of a QC failure or rule violation the 24.7 software send a message or alert back to the LIMS. Acusera 24.7 is designed primarily for use with our Acusera range of true third party controls, however, our software is flexible and can therefore be used with any QC material. Performance limits, QC multi-rules and peer groups can now be customised to suit each individual laboratory depending on user preferences for each different analyte, instrument or lot of control. Alternatively, users can also create custom configurations that are able to be shared across other instruments in their labs and within their groups.
Sigma Metrics & Uncertainty of Measurement (UM)
Version 2.0 of Acusera 24•7 Live Online comes with the automatic calculation of Sigma Metrics and Uncertainty of Measurement (UM). The benefit of automatic UM calculation is that it will help laboratories meet ISO 15189 requirements. Automatic Sigma Metrics calculation is included and is designed to help improve QC strategy design.
For further information on Acusera 24•7 Live Online click here. Alternatively you can request a demo by completing the adjacent form.
Randox Quality Control – More than EQA
Did you know that Randox is the company behind the RIQAS EQA scheme? RIQAS (Randox International Quality Assessment Scheme) is just one area of our comprehensive Quality Control portfolio. As such it is our resolution this New Year to introduce Randox as the brains behind RIQAS and show you that we are more than just an EQA provider by sharing our passion for laboratory QC.
Who are Randox Quality Control?
At Randox we believe in producing high quality material that can help streamline procedures, whilst saving time and money for laboratories of all sizes and budgets. With our extensive product offering comprising third party QC sera, interlaboratory data management software and calibration verification products, you can be sure that our complete QC solutions will provide you with a comprehensive overview of laboratory performance.
Seeing the complete picture with Randox QC
Acusera QC sera
As one of the largest manufacturers of true third party, commutable controls we deliver high quality, cost effective quality control solutions designed to accurately assess instrument performance and provide confidence in patient test results.
Acusera 24.7 interlaboratory data management
Acusera 24.7 enables you to drive for more accurate results by helping you to monitor and interpret QC data. With access to an impressive range of features, including the automatic calculation of Measurement Uncertainty, Total Error and Sigma Metrics, Acusera 24.7 ensures analytical quality.
RIQAS EQA Scheme
RIQAS is employed by more than 45,000 laboratory participants in 124 countries. With frequent reporting you will identify errors sooner ultimately reducing the need to carry out preventable, expensive retests on a large volume of patient samples.
Acusera Calibration Verification sera and software
The Acusera linearity sets cover a wide range of clinical testing including; cardiac markers, therapeutic drugs and proteins. Designed with convenience in mind, the range ultimately helps you to meet CLIA requirements for calibration verification and the assessment of linearity.
Randox QC Resources Hub
Beyond selling laboratory QC we are also passionate about education, offering a range of educational guides, seminars and webinars, with more to come throughout 2017. Check out our QC resources hub for our current educational material and let us know what educational material you would like to see.
For more information, or to request a visit from one of our QC Consultants, contact us via acusera@randox.com.
Celebrate Christmas with Randox Quality Control
T’was the week before Christmas and all through the lab not a thing could be heard not even a sound. The analyser lay silent asleep in the corner, the lab staff at home dreaming of a few days’ rest, only a few more days to go before the big day!
The big man in red, what will he bring those who already have everything? Peace, happiness and health for their loved ones throughout the festive break, that would be the wish for everyone to make. And what better way to ensure they stay healthy, well it all begins in the laboratory…
An important consideration to remember when choosing your lab Quality Control (QC) is that approximately 70% of clinical decisions are based on laboratory test results. It is therefore essential that the results gained from laboratory testing are accurate and reliable in order to provide the appropriate treatment and avoid or prevent potential misdiagnosis.
Patient results are of the utmost importance for a laboratory and therefore running the best Quality Control material should be at the top of their agenda. QC material should have a number of features that allow a lab to judge the overall quality of their output. These features include the controls ability to be commutable (which means how well it reacts as a replicate of a patient sample), is it a true third party control that has been manufactured to provide an independent and unbiased assessment of performance, does your control come with clinically relevant levels and does it have a long shelf life as well as a good open vial or reconstituted stability? These are the questions lab staff will be asking themselves when deciding on what QC is the right QC.
So stay off Santa’s naughty list by providing accurate and reliable patient test results, do this by employing Randox QC in your laboratory. Our controls have been designed to deliver significant cost savings without sacrificing on quality. With consolidated controls (combining up to 100 analytes in a single vial) your lab can reduce QC costs and preparation time, the inclusion of analytes present at clinical decision levels will eradicate the need for additional controls and because of our long shelf life (2 years for liquid controls, 4 years for lyophilised) and excellent stability claims your laboratory can be sure that expensive lot changes will be a thing of the past! Our controls can be described as true third party and this, combined with the commutable nature of the controls, leads to us being able to claim that we have the best Quality Control material around.
So this Christmas when deciding what QC to choose – make sure you look no further than Randox Quality Control. Our QC family is known as Acusera and our product offering includes QC and calibrator material, Interlaboratory Data Management Program (Acusera 24.7), the world’s largest international EQA/PT scheme better known as RIQAS and the newest addition to the family, Linearity or Calibration Verification material.
We have packages for every lab regardless of size and budget and we guarantee you will become ho-ho-hooked on Randox QC.
Wishing you all season’s greetings and a prosperous New Year from everyone at Randox QC.
What is Six Sigma?
Six Sigma is a method of process improvement which focuses on minimizing variability in process outputs. The Six Sigma model was developed by Motorola in 1986, and Motorola have reportedly saved over $17 Billion due to its successful implementation.
The model looks at the number of standard deviations (SD) or ‘sigmas’ that fit within the quality specifications of the process. In the laboratory, the quality specifications relate to the Total Allowable Error (TEa). The higher the number of standard deviations that fit between these limits, the higher the sigma score and the more robust the process or method is. As sources of error or variation are removed from a process, the SD becomes smaller and therefore the number of deviations that can fit between the allowable limits is greater; ultimately resulting in a higher sigma score.
A process with a sigma score of six is considered to be a high quality process, making six the target for many industries including the clinical laboratory.
In order to achieve Six Sigma, a process must not produce more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities. In a Laboratory context, this would equate to 3.4 failed QC results per million QC runs.
Sigma is calculated using the following equation:
Sigma = (TEa – %Bias) / %CV
TEa – Total Allowable Error
%Bias – Deviation from the target or peer group mean
%CV – Imprecision of the data
Why is Six Sigma useful in the laboratory?
Six Sigma can be used to help answer one of the most commonly asked questions in laboratory quality control. How often should I run QC?
The Six Sigma model allows laboratories to evaluate the effectiveness of their current QC processes. Its most common use is to help implement a risk-based approach to QC, where an optimum QC frequency and multi-rule procedure can be based on the sigma score of the test in question. The performance of tests or methods with a high sigma score of six or more may be evaluated with one QC run (of each level) and a single 1:3s warning rule. On the other hand, tests or methods with a lower sigma score should be evaluated more frequently with multiple levels of QC and a multi-rule strategy designed to increase identification of errors and reduce false rejections.
The below table shows how multi-rules and QC frequency can be applied according to Sigma Metrics:
| Sigma Score | QC Frequency | Number of QC Samples | QC Rules |
| 6 or more | Once per day | Each level of QC | 1:3s |
| 5 | Once per day | Each level of QC | Multi-rule strategy |
| 4 | At least twice per day | Each level of QC | Multi-rule strategy |
| < 4 | At least four times per day | Each level of QC | Multi-rule strategy |
It is important to note that this is just an example and it may be necessary to run QC samples more often than three times per day. Some high throughput laboratories prefer to run QC samples before and after a set number of patient samples, while others opt to run QC samples after a set period of time. Whatever frequency you choose it is vital that the frequency is appropriate for the test in use. Download our guide ‘How often is right for QC’ to find out more.
What can Randox offer?
Randox’s Acusera 24.7 Live Online is a peer group reporting software application designed to complement the Acusera QC range. The intuitive and user-friendly software boasts some of the most advanced features on the market, and Version 1.6 provides automatic calculation of sigma scores for individual assays, giving the user an at-a-glance overview of assay performance.
Peer group reporting software is an integral part of any modern laboratory seeking to streamline their QC processes and reduce costs. With Acusera 24.7 Live Online, there has never been a better time to implement, save and succeed.
Contact us today to find out how Randox can help your laboratory achieve its goals.
Now featuring Sigma Metrics, Measurement Uncertainty & Total Error
We are delighted to announce the launch of Acusera 24.7 Live Online Version 1.6, now featuring automatic calculation of Measurement of Uncertainty, Total Error and Sigma Metrics.
Automatic Uncertainty of Measurement calculation; helping to meet ISO 15189:2012 requirements
The new Uncertainty of Measurement report automatically generates and displays the Measurement Uncertainty (UM) of all QC tests currently in use helping you to easily meet ISO 15189:2012 requirements.
To calculate UM, users must first enter the SEM of their intra assay precision (A) for each individual test and each level of control. This is based on a minimum of 20 replicates performed within the same run. Based on performance history, the Acusera 24.7 software will then automatically calculate the SD of the inter assay precision (B). The software then uses the following formula to automatically calculate the UM.
Since UM is calculated using SD and one SD is equal to 68% confidence on the Gaussian curve the software multiplies the UM by 1.96 to attain the Expanded UM and a confidence level of 95%.
The report can be filtered by date to display data from a specific date range and may also be exported to CSV or printed.
Improve QC strategy design with our new Statistical Metrics Report
The Statistical Metrics Report facilitates enhanced performance assessment by incorporating several new metrics including; Measurement Uncertainty, Total Error (TE) and Sigma.
%Bias provides an indication of your laboratories performance compared to the peer group mean, while TE gives an indication of the overall error within a test system taking into account both imprecision and inaccuracy (bias). The availability of a Sigma Metric for each test is useful for designing an appropriate QC strategy. For example methods with a high Sigma score generally require less stringent QC strategies than those with a low Sigma value.
Sigma is a measure of the number of Standard Deviations (SDs) that fit within the total allowable limits. It is generated automatically by the software using the following formula:
- TEa – Total Allowable Error
- %Bias – Deviation from the target
- %CV – Imprecision of the data