Article written by
Michael Haller, APGQA.com Lead Developer, Analytical Products Group
Understanding the Online Data Entry Process
The components of data entry are accessing the system, verifying contact information,
verifying NELAC requirements, entering data, and
selecting accrediting authority reporting.
Many of these sections have been enhanced and will be discussed below.
Online data entry mirrors the paper data return booklet, however it
provides the convenience and flexibility not possible in paper form.
The flowchart to the right illustrates the online data entry process.
Online security is a two step process for APG Online Data Entry.
The two steps are what you know (username and password) and what you
have (data return booklet). You define who you are with a
free Elite Membership Account.
You define what you have by entering the Online Data Entry Code found on the
front cover of your data return booklet. All other providers only identify you by username and password.
Location Bar
From its inception, the online data entry system has given users many features and options for navigating through the system.
Users understandably tended to become lost in the system as an unfortunate byproduct.
Therefore, your location within the system is now immediately available from the location bar located on the top-right of each page.
The current section is displayed in navy blue, and users can click on a section to
go directly to it.
Technology Codes
Identification of technology has been required for NELAC laboratories for a couple of years, and I must admit
that APG has been lagging behind in the convenience of entering technologies. But not any longer.
When a user selects a method from the default method drop-down, all methods and technologies are populated.
When a user selects a method using the binoculars, the method and associated technology are populated for the target analyte.
You can always modify the method and/or technology by typing in the data entry fields.
As a footnote, you may also want to learn about the convenience of data entry defaults.
Data Confirmation
APGQA.com previously required users to finalize their data as a final authorization step.
This was an often overlooked and consequently frustrating omission.
Authorization is given by the user when they enter the system, and the data in the system
when the study closes is considered final. Data can be modified at anytime while the study
is open. A PDF Confirmation is available at all times by clicking the "Confirmation" icon located
on the top-right corner of the page. The PDF Confirmation is also a great way to verify your data during the process, and
users who enter data throughout a given day will be emailed a PDF confirmation
at midnight eastern time. As another footnote, some customer administrators will still need to finalize the data because
a user with data entry access (but without data submission security clearance) has entered the data. For more information, you
can review the prior newsletter article on security access levels.
Accreditation History
A history of the accrediting authority(s) that you sent data to
is available throughout the accrediting authority
reporting section. Accrediting Authorities that were previously
sent data will be highlighted and have an icon next to them. You can click the
icon to review the Accrediting Authority History using the APG Advantage Reporting Tool.
Multiple Methods
A few laboratories are required to report additional results
for comparable methods for accreditation purposes.
Previously, a multiple method with the same reported value required the users to enter the reported value twice.
Users can now select "Copy Results to New Method" from the multiple
method selector to save the current method and copy the reported value from the current method to the additional method.
Users can also click on "Add New Method" from the multiple method selector to save the current
method and enter another. Please note that defaults are for convenience and users can always modify them.
For more on the fundamentals of entering multiple methods, you can review the prior newsletter article on multiple methods.
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