OWML: QA/QC

Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual: Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory

Laboratory Materials and Equipment
The Laboratory Manager sets policies for preventive maintenance and calibration of laboratory materials and equipment.  Two QA/QC logbooks are kept in the laboratory bookshelf with records of equipment calibrations, certifications, and repairs.  The logbooks are for (1) equipment -autoclaves, balances, pipettors, hoods, and thermometers; and (2) laboratory water.  QA/QC data for equipment prior to September 30, 2003 have been filed and are kept by the Laboratory Manager.  Examples of equipment log sheets are in Appendix AA.  Results of quality-assurance checks of materials and equipment starting in FY 04 are stored in the LIMS. Quality-control checks that are required LIMS entries are listed in italics below.

• The Laboratory Manager or Laboratory Coordinator must review QA/QC quarterly reports from LIMS to ensure procedures are followed and problems are properly addressed.

For some pieces of equipment, the use of daily logbooks to record operating times and other types of frequent entries are required.  A daily logbook is kept with the incubators, waterbaths, refrigerators, and the water-quality meters (pH, specific conductance, and turbidity).