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LAB 115
Term 3
3 credits

Calibration, Quality Control and Preventive Maintenance

LAB 115 provides a comprehensive foundation in the principles and practical application of calibration, quality control (QC), and preventive maintenance for clinical laboratory analyzers. Students will learn to perform various calibration procedures, interpret QC data using established rules, and troubleshoot instrument performance based on error logs and diagnostic indicators. Emphasis is placed on developing systematic preventive maintenance schedules and understanding the critical role of accurate documentation in ensuring compliance and efficient service. Hands-on labs will provide practical experience with instrument setup, maintenance tasks, and diagnostic workflows, culminating in a capstone project that simulates real-world service scenarios. This course is vital for technicians aiming to ensure precise and dependable operation of biomedical equipment.

InstructorJacob Calhoun

Course outline

Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.

01Introduction to Clinical Lab Analyzers & Service Technician Rolelecture
02Fundamentals of Measurement: Accuracy, Precision, Linearitylecture
03Principles of Calibration: Types, Standards, and Methodslecture
04Hands-on Lab 1: Analyzer Setup & Basic Calibrationlab
05Quality Control (QC) Principles: Levels, Frequency, and Interpretationlecture
06Westgard Rules & Statistical Process Control in the Lablecture
07Introduction to Preventive Maintenance (PM) Strategieslecture
08Hands-on Lab 2 & Midterm Review: PM Procedures & Diagnostic Modeslab
09Error Log Analysis & Troubleshooting Methodologieslecture
10Software & Firmware Updates: Procedures and Best Practiceslecture
11Hands-on Lab 3: Advanced Troubleshooting & Component Replacementlab
12Service Documentation: Records, Reports, and Compliancelecture
13Regulatory Standards & Best Practices for Lab Equipment Servicelecture
14Capstone Service Project: Comprehensive Analyzer Maintenanceassignment

Syllabus

["Week 1: Course Overview, Safety, and Introduction to Clinical Analyzers","Week 2: Metrology Fundamentals and Measurement Science","Week 3: Calibration Theory and Practical Applications","Week 4: Hands-on Lab 1: Initial Calibration Procedures","Week 5: Quality Control: Foundations and Interpretation","Week 6: Advanced QC Rules and Statistical Analysis","Week 7: Preventive Maintenance Planning and Execution","Week 8: Hands-on Lab 2: PM Tasks and Midterm Review","Week 9: Error Codes, Logs, and Systematic Troubleshooting","Week 10: Software Management and System Updates","Week 11: Hands-on Lab 3: Advanced Repair and Diagnostics","Week 12: Documentation Standards and Regulatory Requirements","Week 13: Industry Best Practices and Compliance","Week 14: Capstone Project: Integrated Service Simulation"]