Guide to Running

Quality Control

Guide to Accurate Reconstitution Using a Micro Pipette

• Never exceed the upper or lower limits of the pipette. Set the desired volume.

• Place the tip on the discharge end of the pipette (keep it sterile)

• Depress the plunger until you reach the first point of resistance. Place the tip just below the level of the distilled water. Slowly release the plunger until all the liquid has been drawn.

• When dispensing, depress the plunger to the first stopping point, wait 1 second, then release the rest of the volume into the control flask.

• Discard the pipette tip and dispose of appropriately.

• On receipt of the kit ensure the product hasn’t been tampered with and that all vials appear intact

• Store all materials as per the recommendations stated in the IFU.

Tips: Liquid frozen controls are normally stored at -20°C, lyophilised and liquid stable controls are usually stored at +2- 8°C however always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Step 1: Receipt and Storage

Step 2: Safe Handling

• Wear appropriate PPE before handling samples and ensure your working environment is clean. Quality controls should be handled in the same manner as a patient sample.

Tips: Appropriate PPE includes lab coat and gloves

Step 3: Preparation

• If using liquid frozen controls allow the sample to completely thaw at room temperature. Once thawed ensure the contents is properly mixed by rolling for 30 minutes.

• If using lyophilised controls carefully reconstitute the contents with the required volume of distilled water and leave to roll for 30 minutes. (see explanation in the box for how to accurately reconstitute a sample)

• If using liquid ready-to-use controls no further preparation is required

Tips: Always use a pipette when reconstituting to ensure accuracy. The use of Randox serum diluent eliminates reconstitution errors by providing users with pre-measured vials of distilled water that can be simply poured into the control vial. It is also a good idea to label the vial with the open date or date of reconstitution to avoid the use of expired material.

Step 4: Application

• Once preparation is complete open the vial and leave the top on a clean surface

• Pour or pipette using a clean tip the required amount of sample into a sample cup.

• Replace the stopper onto the control, ensuring to lift the top of the stopper to avoid contamination.

• Run the sample on the analyser. Refer to individual analysers for application. DO NOT return any residual product to the original vial.

• Refrigerate any unused material (+2˚C to + 8˚C). Prior to reuse mix the contents thoroughly.

Tips: Always check the stability limitations of the control and ensure the control material is not used outside these recommendations.

QUALITY CONTROL

Discharge end

Plastic Tip

Digital displaywindow

To discard tip

Plunger

Information correct at time of print. Randox Laboratories Limited is a subsidiary of Randox Holdings Limited a company registered within Northern Ireland with company number N.I. 614690. VAT Registered Number: GB 151 6827 08. Product availability may vary from country to country. Please contact your local Randox representative for information. Products may be for Research Use Only and not for use in diagnostic procedures in the USA.