Laboratory Information Management (LIMS) on the Road

James E Picker, Ph.D.,

H&P Mobile Geochemistry

Escondido, CA

June 2, 2003

The use of current wireless computer networking technology combined with state-of-the-art Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) has brought the ability to perform complex chemical analysis, quality assurance and reporting into virtual real time mode.

Capturing data in the field with hand held devices has been around for a long time. With easy-to-enter data, these devices work well and can send it off over the airwaves with little problems. But with large volumes of data from samples run at a remote site, more technology is needed than a little PDA can handle. Using mobile vans to run samples and collect data on site for clients is nothing new, either. This type of work for wet chemical and other simple environmental testing is well established.

Now, however, the technology is available to bring both the sophisticated measurement instruments, normally found only in fixed base facilities, and high powered computer data handling into the field to perform the analyses in real time. Organic analyses such as volatile and semivolatiles by GC/MS, which create large data sets can now be efficiently entered into field LIMS systems. Data can be obtained and colated in the field, QC can be evaluated in real time, final reports can be issued and electronic deliverables can be created and downloaded to geologists and other project management for use in their modeling and project planning software. All this can occur virtually within minutes of sample analysis and while further sampling and analysis is occurring.

Pieces to the puzzle.

H&P Mobile Geochemistry of Escondido, CA has pioneered the instrument data gathering and analysis validation in the field. In addition, they have created a wireless network in and around their fixed labs. A fleet of 10 mobile laboratories operating throughout Southern California and the southwest form the basis of their business. The labs are fully CA state certified mobile labs for daily, weekly or long term environmental assessment and remediation projects. Their vans include IR, GC and GC/MS equipment and perform standard EPA test methods. Designed by H&P Mobile Geochemistry with specialized power supplies these mobile labs are operated by a single field chemist who independently performs the tests and reports both verbal and hardcopy results to client field personnel usually within a few minutes of receiving a sample for volatile analysis.

Also on board the laboratories are powerful LIMS systems which handle all phases of lab information management. The field chemist enters data such as client, project and site information. Data from instruments is downloaded from the instrument control and analysis software directly in the LIMS system. Method and QC information, such as control limits are already contained in the LIMS database. The LIMS system automatically notes and flags areas of concern such as missed surrogate control limits, target compounds in blanks, etc. A second party can review the results in the LIMS system either in the home office or in the field on site with the chemist. The starting point of this system is the inclusion of a wireless network card to at least one computer in each mobile laboratory. These are able to log on to a wireless access point at each of the three H&Ps fixed facilities. The LIMS program that connects across the wireless network to each of the vans databases is Element (available from Promium Inc.- www.promium.com)

Once the labs leave the field they return to park near one of three fixed locations around southern California (vans can park up to 500 feet away). In-house review and reporting personnel simply sign on to the database from their desks to the computers located in the vans using Element as the LIMS program and start their review process right away. Supervisors and lab directors can review the data in each of the laboratories using the same wireless network and LIMS program. By having the sample results ready to go when their vans pull into range means no transporting of files on Zip disks or setup of those files in their labs once they arrive. The LIMS system also streamlines the data review procedures.

A gathering of eagles

The power and flexibility of the wireless network/LIMS system was demonstrated recently when three or four of H&Ps mobile laboratories (and multiple direct push Strataprobe sampling trucks) were used on a single site over a three week period. The task was to collect and analyze over four hundred soil vapor samples for volatile organics by a modified EPA Method 8260B from several buildings on a thirty-eight acre site near the San Diego airport.

Owing to the San Diego County requirements for rapid analysis of soil vapor the samples could not be transported to a fixed base facility but had to be analyzed with an hour of sampling. This meant the use of three field laboratories in order to handle the strict requirement of 40 analyses per day which would meet the client schedule. The clients also required a daily report on the previous days samples so that future sampling locations could be selected. In addition the client used software which would accept the Equis electronic deliverable format and hence, asked for a daily EDD in that format.

All the above were easily accomplished well within clients deadlines and specifications. Using the wireless networking capability of the mobile labs in an ad hoc network configuration, each of the mobile labs was able to see all the other labs within the large building on the complex. One laboratory was designated as sample custodian/primary lab and entered all the samples into that labs database. The samples were then distributed to the other laboratories for analysis. Using the DataTool program from the LIMS, the primary lab chemist was able to access the data from the other mobile labs as the analyses were completed just as would occur with multiple instruments in a fixed base lab. This allowed the creation of a single report for the client. Once the data was pulled into the LIMS, a single data reviewer was able to review, correct if necessary, and write narratives for the report before publishing it for the client prior to the next morning. The data reviewer was able to roam the complex among the labs and access data using a laptop computer with wireless card. Using the laptop, the data reviewer was also able to create the EDD each morning for the client to enter their database

The flexibility of this system was again proven when several locations proved to contain very high levels of volatile organics. This necessitated running multiple dilutions of the samples, which would consume laboratory time and may have caused delays. H&P responded by bringing a fourth laboratory to the complex to provide its additional instrumentation to the system. The extra lab was seamlessly added to the network of mobile labs. The increased sample load was managed and when not required, the fourth lab was free to leave for other assignments. The project was completed ahead of schedule. The laboratories were able to process 60 samples per day (a 50% increase over expectation). Reports were delivered daily as were electronic deliverables.

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