Vam Bulletin
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VAM BULLETIN An LGC publication in support of the National Measurement System Issue Nº 19 Autumn 1998 Are you prepared for the change of the century? VAM and the dipstick – consumer analytical products Industrial analytical measurement – the reality DNA chips – a taste of the future VAM in the brewing industry EDITOR’S NOTE AND CONTENTS Alison Gillespie Editor Editor’s note 0181-943 7563 Welcome to VAM Bulletin 19. technology is the area of DNA microarrays which General enquiries about VAM to: VAM Helpdesk The VAM programme comprises a large is described in one of our contributed articles. 0181-943 7393 amount of work related to biologically-based As we approach the millennium, there is analytical measurement. In this issue, there are timely reminder in our editorial on how the LGC’s address: two articles describing new developments in the Century Date Change problem may affect your LGC rapidly expanding area of DNA technology and laboratory and what you should do if you have Queens Road their use in bioanalysis. Dr Valerie Owen has not already made plans. Teddington written the guest column for us on how the VAM I would like to thank all the contributors for Middlesex TW11 0LY principles may be applied to the use of the the time and effort they have spent preparing the increasing number of consumer analytical articles for this edition which I hope you will enjoy The DTI products that are available over the counter. One reading. As always contributions from any of our of the most exciting developments in DNA readers are welcome. VAM programme: The DTI’s programme on Valid Analytical Measurement (VAM) is an integral part of the UK National Measurement System. The VAM Contents programme aims to help analytical Editorial Statistics in context laboratories demonstrate the validity of their data and to facilitate mutual Are you prepared for the change Missing values, outliers, robust recognition of the results of analytical of the century?....................................3 statistics and non-parametric measurements. methods ...........................................22 The VAM programme sets out the following six principles of good analytical Guest column practice, backed up by technical support VAM in education VAM and the dipstick – consumer and management guidance, to enable laboratories to deliver reliable results analytical products..............................4 PT scheme for schools results............28 consistently and thereby improve performance. Focus on principles VAM news 1. Analytical measurements should be VAM principle 6 – The Consultative Committee made to satisfy an agreed requirement. Well defined QC and QA....................6 on Amount of Substance...................29 2. Analytical measurements should be made using methods and equipment Contributed articles Reference materials update ................29 which have been tested to ensure they are fit for their purpose. Customers are more concerned VAM products and services.................30 3. Staff making analytical measurements about price of analysis than quality… should be both qualified and competent aren’t they?.........................................7 Chemical nomenclature to undertake the task. Industrial analytical measurement – How to get it wrong! .........................33 4. There should be a regular independent the reality .........................................12 assessment of the technical performance of a laboratory. DNA chips – a taste of the future ......14 Forthcoming events.............................34 5. Analytical measurements made in one location should be consistent with those Case study Contact points......................................36 elsewhere. VAM in the brewing industry ............18 6. Organisations making analytical measurements should have well defined quality control and quality assurance procedures. Cover photograph by Andrew Brookes 2 VAM BULLETIN EDITORIAL Are you prepared for the change of the century? implications for the laboratory it is helpful to larger instruments but even on some simple Mike Sargent, break the problem into three main areas: appliances such as balances, uses date and/or • central systems time information. It seems likely that the LGC • scientific systems: instruments, only viable solution for some of these workstations and applications systems will be direct replacement or s we approach the year 2000, the • embedded systems rationalisation of requirements to fewer ACentury Date Change problem (or Central systems may include legacy systems. The cost and disruption to work is ‘Millennium Bug’) could bring chaos to your mainframe or central mini-computer potentially very high. laboratory. By now there has been so much applications (such as a laboratory information publicity regarding the problem that few can management system (LIMS), a finance Scientific systems are likely doubt its existence or serious nature. The system, and a personnel database) and a to be the major problem key question for managers, however, is how local area network (LAN) infrastructure with for most laboratories vulnerable is their own business? If you have workstations and office applications not yet made an assessment of the potential software. The main problem is likely to arise Embedded systems could, potentially, pose risks to your own operations it is vital that with the legacy systems and applications. the biggest problem for managing you do so as soon as possible – and take the Unless these are compliant already (possibly millennium compliance. Some idea of the appropriate corrective measures. with recent upgrades or minor software possible scope can be gained by noting that All businesses should be aware that the ‘patches’ from the supplier if they are still such systems are used in automated building problem extends much more widely than supporting the system) the time and management systems, office equipment such mainframe, networked or personal knowledge needed to provide bespoke fixes as photocopiers, building systems such as computers. It embraces not only ‘real’ may be prohibitive. In this case the only lifts or switchboards, and most of the computers but also the microchips which are viable option is a new system – which may in ‘minor’ laboratory equipment. Unless they embedded in many products or facilities, any case offer other benefits. Most of the have already started work on a year 2000 including most modern analytical widely used LAN systems are relatively project, few laboratories have any knowledge instruments. Many of these microchips modern with support for millennium of the extent or size of their potential incorporate a date-logic function. As a compliance available from suppliers or third problem. Without this knowledge, it is result, the equipment may cause data to be parties. The main problem is likely to be old impossible to determine the likely corrupted, may malfunction, or may fail MS-DOS applications still in use on some consequences or the cost of the fixes that are completely when the Century Date Change office workstations. Nevertheless, a required, if indeed any are required. occurs. On the other hand, there may be no significant effort may still be needed to There are also other Century Date problem at all – it depends on how the chip implement any upgrades or replacements Change issues common to all businesses. In is used, on how it was programmed, or even and to confirm the claims made by suppliers. particular, a company may be at risk because on the production version available at the Scientific systems are likely to be the of problems experienced by its suppliers, for time of manufacture. major problem for most laboratories. example, urgently needed reagents or services the problem extends Frequently there is a large number of these may be unavailable for several weeks after 1 systems, their age, type and origin vary January 2000. There may even be a problem much more widely than enormously, there is often no detailed with customers, for example, their inability mainframe, networked inventory of the equipment (irrespective of to settle invoices could cause cash flow or personal computers any knowledge of potential year 2000 problems. In addition, the crisis may be problems), and a large part of the company’s much closer than expected, for example, This situation poses a major headache business will depend on them. Many of the some financial systems are already refusing for analytical laboratories, most of which instruments use bespoke software, some to accept next-century dates which are have a large collection of instrumentation produced by defunct suppliers, some needed to input tax, pension, or contract acquired over many years. One such item produced in-house and often inadequately data. It is also believed that many systems may be ‘year 2000 proof’ whilst another, documented. As well as future operations with a problem may generate erroneous almost identical, piece of equipment from managers also need to consider forensic or dates from 1 January 1999 rather than 2000. the same manufacturer could have a date- accreditation requirements for integrity of So what can be done in the very limited related problem even though manufactured and access to archived electronic data. time available? The best advice to management more recently. In reviewing the year 2000 Much of the software, particularly on is: DON’T PANIC! There is much to be 3 VAM BULLETIN EDITORIAL gained by preparing an inventory of all • do establish priorities for action based independent review of satisfactory