Why Calibration of Lab Equipment is Critical to Maintaining Data Integrity

Lab equipment is the most valuable asset in a lab.  This is why keeping the equipment in top-notch conditions is critical to maintaining lab and data integrity.  Understanding calibration, how it works, and why it is so critical will help you run a more precise and accurate lab.

What is Calibration?

Calibration is the act of testing and adjusting the precision and accuracy of an instrument. Research labs use it to ensure correct data.

Calibration compares a standard measurement to the measurement taken by your instrument.  While the accuracy of your instrument may not be the same as the standard, there is an acceptable accuracy ratio.  Your instrument will need to measure up to the requirements.

Significant Reasons

There are several substantial reasons why instrument calibration is important.

• Safety – In many labs, there are dangerous materials processing. Having inaccurate data can put the staff in danger.  Calibration provides accuracy and in turn, keeps everyone safe.
• Cost-Effective – When inaccuracies occur, it will stop production whether you’re a manufacturer or a life science lab. The longer it takes for the inaccuracies to be noticed the more costly the mistakes will be.  Routine maintenance is cost-effective in the long term.
• Instruments Last Longer – Instruments degrade whether it is from using daily or the environment in which you use them. Calibrating routinely and keeping it up to standards helps the length of usage.
• Certification – Certification is a prerequisite for a variety of tasks. Up-to-date calibrations on instruments is a requirement.

Why is Calibration Important?

You need instrumentation calibration in order to reduce the bias in an instrument’s readings.  Precision and accuracy are both required when collecting data.  Precision focuses on the degree to which repeated measurements without change to the conditions will show the same result.  Accuracy is the degree of closeness of measurement of a quantity to its actual value.

Maintaining Data Integrity

They expect labs to maintain high standards whether they are in the pharmaceutical or life sciences.  Maintaining data integrity helps assure that the research done in the lab is constructed to these high standards.  Keeping your lab equipment calibrated helps maintain traceability and data integrity.  Not having the calibrations up to date can lead to inaccurate data.  In some cases, it can lead to failing audits.

Failing to calibrate equipment on time and having documentation is one of the biggest reasons to fail an audit.

Maintenance of Instruments

All of the instruments in your lab require different maintenance and calibration standards.  How often depends on how much you use it and how quickly it degrades.  Manufacturers have recommendations and certifications have set requirements.  Some of them will need monthly while others are yearly.

They may do some in the lab while others require off-site calibration.  You will need to get your instruments calibrated by experts.  An ISO 17025 accredited calibration lab will meet such requirements.

Signs that your Equipment Needs Calibration

These key indicators will warn you that it is time to get your instruments looked at by a 17025 calibration services expert.

• Prior to Critical Testing – If you are testing for highly accurate data. It will be worthwhile to have the instrument calibrated prior to by a reputable company (like Tritech) before you begin your work.
• Data is Questionable – When the data reads and it seems to be questionable.
• After an Incident – If the instrument falls to the ground, or an accident occurs to it, it may inhibit it from giving accurate and precise results.

17025 Calibration Standard

When you have your equipment calibrated, it is necessary that you trust the process.  The accreditation gives the lab the confidence that is done correctly and meets the standards required.

ISO 17025 Calibration Standard is the international quality standard to which they accredit laboratories.

Certificates 

The company that handles your equipment’s calibration will provide a certificate.  The certificate will list the calibration standards used for the calibration.  It will also provide the data pass or fail statements for each measurement result and the date.  There will also be a report that will list the errors found and the reduction in errors after calibration.

ISO 17025 Accredited Calibration Services

Equipment calibration is critical to a lab to maintain in order to get the most accurate and precise data.  By having your instrumentation maintained with ISO 17025 accredited calibration, you are ensuring that your lab will have the best reputation.  You will want to research to find a company that is an accredited company and will be able to coordinate with you on the turnaround time.  As your lab’s productivity will be compromised when equipment is in transit.  Due your due diligence when researching and in the end, your lab equipment will continue to uphold data integrity.