Unleashing Your Labs True Potential with MICRO ELN

Issues of Paper-Based Notetaking 

Laboratory research demands more detailed and accurate data to achieve the best results. While paper notes can be useful to quickly jot down notes in the field, manually written data is insufficient as a method of accurately recording and sharing large amounts of data. Compared to digital solutions like electronic lab notebooks, paper notebooks tend to be: 

• Vulnerable to water and chemical damage. 
• Hard to read and/or inaccurate. 
• Easily misplaced or lost. 
• Vulnerable to theft and unauthorized access. 
• Time-consuming to record or share with other researchers. 

Realistically, it’s difficult to properly record the amount of data needed for laboratory research with paper notebooks. For this reason, electronic laboratory notebooks are a popular resource to support all aspects of recording data within a secure, accurate, and collaborative database.  

Lab Evolution with Micro ELN Software 

Through Micro ELN, lab professionals access advanced cloud-based software and gain the benefit of recording, tracking, storing, and sharing records from a secure database. Using this system, professionals can easily document and process important research from any device, thus saving time and energy to upload reports. 

Laboratory professionals across scientific studies can expect many benefits from using Micro ELN over paper notebooks, such as: 

Better Organization 

Because the Micro ELN system is searchable, it eliminates the need to organize or gather reports. In fact, this software allows researchers to keep all collected project items together, giving other technicians the information they need to continue the project and track updated steps throughout the project. 

Simplified Collaboration 

Messy handwriting makes sharing research difficult; plus, there’s no guarantee your notes will stay intact when exchanged with a project partner. As a cloud-based platform, Micro ELN avoids the risk of losing or damaging data since it allows researchers to share information and edit projects together at any time. 

Report Flexibility 

Thanks to advanced ELN software, digital files allow for more flexibility of what can be put into a project report. As an example, technicians looking to review a report on a water sample may find sample images, charts comparing water quality over time, notes from collaborators, or uploaded photos of the testing process. 

Micro ELN helps you avoid miscommunication due to messy handwriting

Data Security 

Depending on the field of research, certain scientific reports may require security compliance protocols to ensure the company’s privacy and protection. Unlike paper notebooks, Micro ELN software offers a high degree of data security and integrity for digital reports, which prevents unauthorized access. End user access can only be granted through a password, and activity can be restricted to protect sensitive data. 

Expand Lab Capabilities with Micro ELN Software 

Lab research requires advanced solutions to share, adapt, and store notes. To gain the best advantage in data analysis and scientific development, lab professionals need ALPACA Micro ELN. BTSOFT’s software solution offers high-quality software to store and report information along with expert guidance to find the best custom solutions to meet your needs. View our demo today to learn more.  

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Unleashing Your Labs True Potential with MICRO ELN

What is an Industrial Hygiene Lab?

Industrial hygiene (IH) labs deal with the process of evaluating, recognizing, identifying, and controlling workplace environmental hazards that can affect the health and safety of workers, families, and the community. This includes:

• Respiratory conditions—which occur when workers are exposed to chemicals, gases, vapors, dust, or fumes. These illnesses may develop into tuberculosis, chronic obstructive bronchitis, rhinitis, asbestosis, or pneumonitis.
• Skin diseases are caused by exposure to chemicals, plants, parasites, or other substances. These may cause eczema, rashes, dermatitis, blisters, or chrome ulcers.
• Poisoning occurs when abnormal concentrations of toxic substances are ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Common causes of poisoning include carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, mercury, lead, arsenic, benzene, and parathion.
• Other occupational illnesses, including bloodborne pathogenic diseases, anthrax, or benign or malignant tumors.

All of these can lead to long-term effects on employees’ and the community’s health and well-being.

Industrial Hygiene Labs Testing and Analysis

Most asbestos laboratory services use Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) and Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) analysis. PLM analysis is for asbestos in bulk samples using the EPA/600/R-93/116 Method. It is primarily performed to identify and classify asbestos fiber concentration in bulk building materials, insulations, sprayed and non-sprayed plasters, coatings, ceilings, flooring materials, caulks, adhesives, and many other materials. PCM uses the NIOSH 7400 Method. It is performed to measure fiber concentrations in the air.

Through monitoring, testing, and analytics, IH experts prevent and minimize potential health hazards. However, IH laboratories have their challenges. IH processes involve a range of sample types and test methods—assessing air quality, lead exposure, and hazardous elements such as asbestos, mold, radon gas, radiation, or pesticides.

LIMS Benefits Industrial Hygiene Labs

Industrial hygiene laboratories are required to input and store thousands of pieces of information including bacterial genera, species names, calculations, descriptors, and much more in order to interpret data efficiently. IH labs require complex workflows and analyses that need to be supported with the right software. Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) software are sophisticated pieces of technology that are customizable, flexible, and able to adapt to the most specific needs. They are used to manage vast amounts of data so researchers can deliver results faster. These systems provide a centralized way to track, standardize, and organize all data, processes, and tasks.

LIMS streamlines the results entry, reporting, and invoicing using a well-organized central format. LIMS enhances data quality and minimizes errors but at the same time allows for collaboration. LIMS also helps meet the needs of laboratories that are members that have achieved certification through laboratory accreditation programs like AIHA and occupational and safety standards like OSHA.

LIMS: Protecting Public Health and Safety

BTSOFT is a worldwide, multidisciplinary software company with a variety of offerings to suit the needs of any industrial hygiene laboratory. BTSOFT’s software called BTLIMS Industrial Hygiene helps labs perform health and safety tests to protect people and the environment. BTSOFT provides customizable laboratory solutions, and our team of professionals and computer programmers will assist you on all levels. Learn more about our services.

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The Importance of laboratory Data Integrity Within Labs

Laboratory data integrity is the accuracy and consistency of data throughout its laboratory processing from when it’s collected, reported, and stored to when it is processed, analyzed, and applied. Managing data quality is ensuring the data is complete and accurate, free from any errors that could compromise the quality of the study. A laboratory that retains its integrity can be trusted.  

Data integrity is important for the quality of your lab. Some issues that will compromise your data and security that handles properly could include: 

Human Error 

For data integrity, human error is a major risk factor. This can occur when data is incorrectly entered, processed, or analyzed. 

Security Errors 

If data is not configured correctly, it will be vulnerable to data breaches. If data is not secured properly, it is susceptible to unauthorized individuals.  

Hardware/Software Error 

Computer systems can fail, and data can be accidentally deleted, overwritten, or corrupted during transfer or storage. 

Data Transfer Errors 

When data is transferred between different data systems, it may get lost, corrupted, or altered during the migration process. If data is shared between different teams or sources, a cloud-based system like ALPACA LIMS will facilitate the sending and receiving of data.  

How LIMS Ensures Laboratory Data Integrity and Security

Laboratories that harness security and promote integrity can improve data quality and reduce the risk of data loss or corruption. Data management is challenging, especially in a lab setting because of the variety of different data types and formats. Because data is at the center of every laboratory, implementing LIMS maximizes productivity and ensures data integrity and security. 

Without LIMS, when it comes to sample data collection, errors can easily occur, especially when the number of samples being tested grows. Nonclinical laboratories experience increasing demands, handling larger volumes of data and meeting strict regulations at the same time. LIMS will permit control and transparency within the laboratory. By automating reports and workflow and promoting better decision-making through data utilization, enabling you to achieve more with less. 

BTSoft: The Solution for Your Lab

BTSOFT provides a complete laboratory information management solution. LIMS has become a necessity for laboratories process. LIMS processes data effectively, which is important for every laboratory. Our products at BTSOFT range from plug-and-play modules to a complete cloud-based system. Our system provides the technical features to securely acquire, process, report, and store data. The implementation of LIMS will ensure data integrity and security, especially when there are large amounts of data and cloud-based data. Our system is easily configured to suit your lab’s specific needs and will immediately improve your lab operations. At BTSOFT, we offer a unique list of products including ALPACA LIMS (cloud-based or browser-based) to help laboratories perform more efficiently. We are confident that we can provide the perfect customizable solution. Learn more about our products here.

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