Quality Control
Overview
This section of the manual covers the various methods for tracking and evaluating sample quality.
Sample Storage Conditions
Sample storage conditions should be monitored through a combination of temperature probes and visual inspections of the freezers. Freezers should be visually inspected daily to ensure proper temperature is maintained. Record this using a temperature log.
- -80°C +/- 10 degrees
- -20°C +/- 5 degrees
Liquid nitrogen reserves should be checked weekly and refilled to ensure samples are maintained in the liquid nitrogen vapor phase.
If a freezer or liquid nitrogen reservoir falls out of the acceptable storage conditions, staff will move samples, if necessary, record the event for impacted samples, and notify the central laboratory at the time of shipment.
Shipping Conditions
To ensure proper shipping conditions are maintained, upon receipt of samples by the DS-Biorepository, staff will inspect the packages to ensure each of the following:
- Review the date of shipment and tracking history to note any delays during shipment
- Dry ice is still present in boxes for frozen samples
- A brief visual inspection of samples to ensure they have not thawed
If a shipment fails any of these QC checks, the samples will be stored in their proper conditions, and a note will be made in the laboratory inventory management system and tracked for future sample use. The central lab will also provide retraining with the collection sites as needed.