Quality Systems International (QSI) has developed a new cost-effective sample tracking solution as an integral part of the company's popular WinLims software. The new solution enables a sample or sub samples to be easily tracked to their storage or processing locations.

According to QSI press release, the sample tracking solution, which is also able to identify who is responsible for the sample at the various locations, is ideal for use by research laboratories in the biosciences and healthcare sectors. Manufacturers who deal with split sample methods will also find the solution helps to improve production efficiencies.

The new sample tracking solution enables all transactions to be time, date and user stamped throughout the complete work flow process.

In laboratory applications, blood, urine and tissue samples taken from people or animals are often processed to create sub samples. Samples are also often split to be spread across a number of labs for parallel processing. In all cases where sub samples are required it is often essential to trace the sub sample back to the original sample to be able to relate the results of the sub sample to the original. For similar reasons it is vital to track sub samples as they are being processed, stored, or tested.

QSI's new sample tracking solution is capable of tracking as many sub samples as required. Full details are recorded against the sub samples. The solution is ideal for recording and monitoring blood analysis procedures where an original sample may be blood with the sub samples being plasma or plasma components such as different proteins, hormones, enzymes or fatty acids. The solution can also be used to record the required storage methods allocated to the sample type.

"In the past QSI has produced custom solutions for the sample tracking needs of our clients," explained Clive Collier, QSI's managing director. "But now, in keeping with our 'out of the box' LIMS philosophy, we have created a standard sample tracking solution to meet the needs of the market place. By enabling the sample tracking solution to become a standard integrated feature of QSI's WinLims software we are able to greatly reduce operational costs for many of our customers."