We are pleased to introduce our latest Quality Control (QC) feature, thoughtfully designed in adherence to the updated ANSI/AARST MS-QA 2023 Radon Measurements Systems Quality Assurance guideline.
For detailed insights into the new 2023 industry standards and guidelines, we invite you to read the AARST MS-QA2023 guideline directly. You can access the full document here.
The term "cross check" (comparison check) that will be used in this article, refers to a procedure in which one radon monitor is compared to another monitor helping to ensure the reliability of the measurement system.
Typically, it involves placing two monitors side by side in the same environment and comparing their measurements over a specific time period of at least 48 hours. Any significant variations between the monitors’ readings should prompt an investigation including a review of results, history of monitor bias, system check, or maintenance to ensure the accuracy of the measurements.
Now, let’s take a closer look into how our latest Corentium Pro app QC feature can help you for effective quality control:
1) QC Cross-Checks: We'll guide you through the process of using QC cross-checks to ensure measurement consistency.
2) QC Reports: Learn how to generate detailed QC reports, providing insights into the reliability of your data.
3) Dashboard Utilization: View where to navigate our user-friendly dashboard to verify QC control limits and accessing the relative percentage difference (RPD) data.
4) Generate Report Screen: Creating a report from cross-check data.
Additionally, we'll explain the calculation of the Relative Percentage Difference (RPD) for each dataset, offering a clearer picture of measurement precision.
The QC feature aims at helping you to create or enhance your company's QA/QC procedures while ensuring compliance with industry standards and facilitating reliable radon measurement data.
QC Cross-Checks:
The application is purpose-built for monitoring and recommending when it's advisable to perform a comparison check for each unit. It will also display the number of tests remaining before a cross check is recommended for each monitor.
To clarify, one cross check should be performed for every ten tests, which amounts to approximately 10% of the total tests conducted.
The flexibility here allows you to vary your choice of monitors for these checks. You don't have to use the same ones consistently.
📌 To enhance quality control, refrain from using the same two monitors for cross checks every time. When possible, opt for different units. Cross checks may be conducted at home, the office, or at the client’s location.
QC Report:
Select the two monitors you wish to cross-check against each other. Begin a test on the first monitor as you would normally do. Do NOT select the box that states “This is a comparison check”.
When you start the second test, select the “comparison check” box. The app will recognize the test initiation (ensure the monitors are positioned side-by-side, no more than 4 inches apart, and within Bluetooth range). If the app detects a previously initiated test in Bluetooth range, the first monitor will appear in the “monitors in range” drop down box. Select the corresponding monitor for comparison.
📌 Please note: Monitors undergoing a reboot will experience a temporary Bluetooth connectivity loss. During this period, these monitors will not be immediately visible in the list of available devices. Wait for approximately 2 minutes; the monitors will reappear and be accessible.
📝 In an environment with multiple Corentium Pros, it's essential to verify the serial numbers and accurately select the intended monitors for cross-checking.
Please note that when initiating a crosscheck, you must start from the second monitor (side-by-side). If the first monitor prompts you to mark a test as a crosscheck, it simply means it has detected another nearby monitor that hasn't been designated for cross-checking. In this case, please avoid selecting the crosscheck option on the first monitor.
Dashboard Utilization:
As shown in the screenshot from the Monitor Management section, datasets within either the control limit or warning limits will now display a notification in the QA/QC column.
You can click on the "..." icon on the right to access the Comparison Check menu and view your crosscheck results for this monitor.
This screen is designed to highlight crosschecks that exceed both the warning and control limits. Please note 🚦, the limits in this system are set as your own initial limits by the industry standard. Continued tracking of these RPDs helps you to build your own QC limits.
Take the opportunity to review the protocols followed during these crosschecks and monitor future ones more closely to determine whether there may be an underlying issue or that your Corentium Pro may require calibration.
As seen in the image below, users have the option to access a convenient PDF download of all their crosschecks in a single comparison check document. This feature is highly practical for quality control (QC) record-keeping purposes, allowing users to maintain a historical record for reference.
Generate Report Screen:
Creating a Duplicate Measurement Report from a Comparison Check
If you have performed a comparison check, you can generate a report from this cross-check, essentially creating a duplicate document. Follow these steps:
Use either the app or the dashboard (must be finalized) and ensure there are two detected datasets available. Select one of these datasets to proceed. Both datasets must share at least a 48-hour timeframe, only those that fit this requirement will be available.
Use the scroll-down menu to find the second dataset. The software will populate and display datasets that align with the same time frame. The responsibility of selecting the correct dataset rests with the user.
📌 The application seamlessly generates reports and automatically aligns the two datasets by removing any time periods when they are not concurrently available at the same time. If necessary, the user can further customize by utilizing the truncate feature.