Investigating Using R, s, and x Charts in Monitoring Performance of Laboratory Equipment

Authors

Mercy Okezue, Purdue UniversityFollow
Stella Ebonine, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and ControlFollow
Amoreen Naluyima, Purdue UniversityFollow
Emeka Akobundu, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and ControlFollow
William Boogere-Wakaalo, Purdue UniversityFollow
Lasisi Olayonu, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and ControlFollow
Rhoda Olayonu, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and ControlFollow
Emanuel Akpan, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and ControlFollow
Abubakar Umar, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and ControlFollow
Kikundwa Emma Mbabazi, Purdue UniversityFollow
Nkem C. Ifudu, Purdue UniversityFollow
Andrew Mukungu, Purdue UniversityFollow
Zita Ekeocha, Purdue UniversityFollow
Stephen Byrn, Purdue UniversityFollow
Kari Clase, Purdue UniversityFollow

Abstract

Statistical process controls are often used for monitoring processes to identify special causes of variation. Signals generated can assess the operational status of equipment and indicate when corrective action is needed. Control charts are a major tool in statistical process controls used in pharmaceutical manufacturing. It uses graphs as a statistical means of expressing the quality of a process or product. Quality improvement is inversely proportional to variability so that decreasing variabilities in product or process increases quality. Medicines testing laboratories employ various equipment to conduct analysis and generate reports to confirm a sample’s disposition. To ensure data integrity, laboratory equipment is routinely calibrated. In many low-income countries, this causes a great financial burden. This study, therefore, investigated the use of control charts to monitor the performance of laboratory equipment in between calibrations schedules. Also, to explore the use of the R, x., and s charts as an improvement over the use of 2SD and 3SD charts employed in earlier work.

Recommended Citation

Okezue, Mercy; Ebonine, Stella; Naluyima, Amoreen; Akobundu, Emeka; Boogere-Wakaalo, William; Olayonu, Lasisi; Olayonu, Rhoda; Akpan, Emanuel; Umar, Abubakar; Emma Mbabazi, Kikundwa; Ifudu, Nkem C.; Mukungu, Andrew; Ekeocha, Zita; Byrn, Stephen; and Clase, Kari (2023) "Investigating Using R, s, and x Charts in Monitoring Performance of Laboratory Equipment," The Proceedings of the BIRS Community: Vol. 1 : Iss. 1, Article 6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7771/2836-5666.1005
Available at: https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/birstrp/vol1/iss1/6