Laboratory Excellence and AccreditationSample Management, Chain of Custody, and LIMS Administration
A laboratory can run a perfect analysis on a sample whose identity nobody can prove, and the result is worthless the moment it is challenged. This course covers the discipline that prevents that. Delegates work through sample identification, labelling and the unique identifier that must survive every transfer, and the receipt checks that decide whether a sample is fit to test at all. Chain of custody is treated properly: who held the sample, when, and the documentation that stands up in a dispute or a court. Storage, preservation and holding times are covered, including what happens to a result taken outside them. Sub sampling, aliquots and retention samples follow. Laboratory information management system configuration is addressed: workflows, specification limits, user roles and audit trail. Data integrity is covered directly. The course closes on disposal, on non conformance handling and on preparing for an accreditation assessment.
Course objectives
- Identify and label samples so the identifier survives every transfer
- Apply receipt checks that determine whether a sample is fit to test
- Maintain a chain of custody that stands up under challenge
- Control storage, preservation and holding times
- Manage sub sampling, aliquots and retention samples
- Configure workflows, limits, roles and audit trail in a laboratory system
- Protect data integrity, handle non conformances and satisfy an assessor
Who should attend
- Sample reception and logistics coordinators
- Forensic and legal laboratory personnel
- LIMS administrators and laboratory informatics staff
- Quality assurance officers responsible for data integrity
Course outline
- 01A perfect analysis on an unproven sample
- 02Identification, labelling and unique identifiers
- 03Sample receipt and acceptance criteria
- 04Chain of custody documentation
- 05Storage, preservation and holding times
- 06Sub sampling, aliquots and retention
- 07Laboratory system configuration and audit trail
- 08Data integrity, non conformance, disposal and accreditation
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 to 21 October 2026 | Lusaka, Zambia | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 6 to 8 January 2027 | Accra, Ghana | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 25 to 27 January 2027 | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 8 to 10 February 2027 | Online | Online | R6,500 per delegate | Register Now |