Professional Analytical and Consulting Services

Quality Assurance of Chemical Measurements

PACS Course Number 70

9 AM to 5 PM

The course instructor is Dr. Henry Nowicki. This course provides an introduction to methods designed to help provide analytical information that is useful and defensible, legally and technically to your data users. Laboratory quality control and assessment of chemical measurement data makes good professional and business sense. Good laboratory practices provide happy and continuing clientele, risk reduction, professionally motivated staff and confidence in the lab data. This two-day short course is designed for managers, chemists and technicians who have responsibility for the quality assurance of laboratory data. The text by Dr. John Taylor, "Quality Assurance of Chemical Measurements", should be purchased and studied to prepare for this course. Call Lewis Publishing to purchase this book at (800) 272-7737. An agenda for this course is below.

The course content will include: approaches to quality assurance, planning, measurement considered as a process, basic statistical tools, evaluation of analytical data, modeling, sampling, selection of capital equipment, selection of methodology, calibration, quality control, control charts, quality assessment, traceability, use of reference materials, reporting analytical results, troubleshooting, laboratory certification, and the design, implementation and monitoring of quality assurance programs. Materials presented in Dr. Taylor’s book will be the focus of this course and the practical experiences of the instructor and your interests. The instructor has worked in academic, industrial and government labs where the results required strong use of quality assurance.

Register by mailing a copy of the REGISTRATION FORM. Send it with a payment of $1695 to secure your attendance. Hotel information and a map will be sent to confirm your registration. Please list your special interest(s) on the registration form. Enrollment is limited to assure your maximum course benefits. On-site PACS courses are available (most PACS courses can be provided at your time and place). Telephone Henry Nowicki or Barb Sherman at 1.724.457.6576 if you need further information. PACS also provides laboratory testing and consulting services.

Quality Assurance of Chemical Measurements

Course Instructor: Dr. Henry Nowicki

Course Outline
INTRODUCTION: Philosophies; Modern lab role; Historical quality changes
FUNDAMENTALS OF QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA): QA=QA/QC, QA hierarchy, Costs/benefits of providing quality lab data and validation; Budgeting and planning, QA location/function, Quality cycles, external/internal data validation; Strategy of meeting user quality needs, specifications for QA leader; Glossary of terms and acronyms, safety-OSHA lab standard
BASIC QA STATISTICS: A BRIEF OVERVIEW: Process merits, uncertainty types, Comparing data, comparing labs, control charts (SPC); Systematic/random error, outliers/assignable cause/detection methods; Lab vs field sampling error, accuracy/precision, Significant figures/reporting data
MEASUREMENT AS A PROCESS: Design/implement/monitor lab QA, macro/micro auditing, Internal and external lab auditing; Screening and confirmatory analysis, Analyst certification, keeping staff current; Development of QA programs; Standards and reference materials, independent calibration verification; Lab responsibilities, user responsibilities, Data handling/review/archiving/maintenance; Lab certifications/accreditation
SAMPLING: General principles, criteria for developing sampling plans; Sampling methods, fluids/solids, required information on samples
SAMPLE HANDLING: Labeling, containers, filtering; Preservation, holding times, conditions, transporting; Blanks, chain-of-custody
SAMPLE PREPARATION Procedures and protocols, reagent blank, miscellaneous topics
INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS: Instrument log, signal-to-noise ratio, instrumental parameters; Calibration initial and continuing; Causes and minimization of calibration drift; Training of staff, cross-training; Maintenance log, documentation, validation
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOP): Preparation recommendations, five W's, record keeping; Changes to SOP, archives, distribution, OSHA and EPA compliance
RECOMMENDED READING
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PERIOD

View the PACS Short Course Schedule

Course participants are encouraged to e-mail questions to Dr. Henry Nowicki at

Please NOTE: List your special interest on the registration form. We will try to accommodate your interest. PACS also provides internet consulting information at http://pacslabs.com

Training is an Investment in employee employer Future!

For more information please contact:

Henry Nowicki, Ph.D. / M.B.A
PACS Testing, Consulting and Training
409 Meade Drive, Coraopolis, PA 15108
Phone: 1. 724. 457. 6576 or 1. 800. 367. 2587
Fax: 1. 724. 457. 1214
E-Mail:
PACS website: http://pacslabs.com

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