Step by Step Guide to Preparing QC There are three common types of quality control material; lyophilised (freeze dried), liquid ready-to-use and liquid frozen. Each format will have its own advantages and disadvantages but most importantly each type will have different storage requirements and need to be handled differently. This guide explains the different methods for preparing each type of control. Guide to using a micropipette Preparing Lyophilised / Freeze Dried Controls • Remove the control from the fridge and allow the contents to reach room temperature. • Using a permanent marker make a note of the date on the vial to avoid the use of expired material. • Before use remove one of the aliquots from the freezer and allow the material to thaw and reach room temperature. Once thawed the material is ready for use. DO NOT RE-FREEZE. • To extend the stability, divide the reconstituted material into aliquots of at least 0.5ml and store at -20ºC to -70ºC (always refer to the kit insert supplied with the control for stability claims). Choose the most appropriate pipette to measure the required volume of liquid. Set the desired volume by turning the dial clockwise to increase the volume and anticlockwise to decrease the volume until the desired volume appears in the display window. • Gently remove the cap and bung being careful not to lose any material & carefully reconstitute the contents with the required volume of distilled water using a micropipette or volumetric pipette (always refer to the kit insert supplied with the control for volumes). • Carefully replace the bung & cap and return the material to the fridge. • Using a permanent marker make a note of the date on the vial to avoid the use of expired material. (Refer to kit insert for open vail stability claims). Remove the tip by press down on the tip discarder. Digital display window The plunger will have two points of resistance when depressed. To extract the desired volume of liquid, depress the plunger to the first point of resistance. Preparing Liquid Ready-To-Use Controls • Remove the control from the fridge and allow the contents to reach room temperature. To dispense the liquid, depress the plunger to the first point of resistance, wait one second and then continue to depress the plunger as far as it will go to completely discharge the entire volume of water. Place a pipette tip on the discharge end of the pipette. • Allow the contents to mix thoroughly by rolling for at least 30 minutes. Place the pipette tip just below the water level and very slowly release the plunger until the required volume of liquid has been extracted. Allow the desired volume of water to be extracted completely before removing it from the solution. Preparing Liquid Frozen Controls • Remove the cap & bung and place on a clean surface to avoid contamination. • Remove only the required volume of liquid using a clean pipette tip or simply pour the required volume into a sample cup. The control is ready to be placed on the analyser. DO NOT RETURN ANY UNUSED MATERIAL TO THE VIAL. • Remove the control from the freezer and allow the material to thaw completely at room temperature. • Carefully replace the bung & cap and return the material to the fridge. ONCE THAWED DO NOT RE-FREEZE. • Once thawed ensure the contents is thoroughly mixed by rolling gently for 30 minutes. • Remove only the required volume of liquid using a clean pipette tip or simply pour the required volume into a sample cup. The control is ready to be placed on the analyser. DO NOT RETURN ANY UNUSED MATERIAL TO THE VIAL. • Using a permanent marker make a note of the date on the vial to avoid the use of expired material. (Refer to kit insert for open vail stability claims). • Remove the cap & bung and place on a clean surface to avoid contamination. *Please note the information provided is designed to be used as a guide only, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Randox Laboratories Ltd, 55 Diamond Road, Crumlin, County Antrim, BT29 4QY, United Kingdom Information correct at time of print. Randox Laboratories Ltd is a subsidiary of Randox Holdings Limited a company registered within Northern Ireland with company number N.I. 614690. VAT Registered Number: GB 151 6827 08. Product availability may vary from country to country. Please contact your local Randox representative for information. Products may be for Research Use Only and not