Replace codes in the lab file

Occasionally, the lab file will contain identifiers (often text codes), which indicate some sort of assay process or event. For example: Not Sampled (NS ). The identifiers used to indicate these events depend on the laboratory.

From your organization’s point of view, it is desirable to maintain a single set of identifiers. To assist in this process, Merge Lab Data allows you to map the identifiers used by a lab, to those used in your organization. When you run Merge Lab Data, the lab identifiers are automatically replaced with those you define.

Below Detection Limit

Samples that fall below the detection limit of the assay method present a special case. When this occurs, the lab file will write an identifier in the field (e.g. BDL). There are two ways of dealing with sample results that fall below the detection limit. You can:

  • Replace the lab code with your own identifier.
  • Write the detection limit, specified in the lab file for that assay, to the field.

To replace the identifier with another, in the Replace Lab Codes dialog box:

  1. Select Replace lab code in the Below Detection group.
  2. Select Write text.
  3. Enter the code used by the lab to identify the sample result was below the detection limit.
  4. Enter the replacement code in the Replace with prompt.

To replace a below detection code with a detection limit value:

The detection limit for an assay type is usually recorded in the column header for that field. When the program finds a code indicating the sample result was below the detection limit it:

  • Takes the below detection value from the column header.
  • It prepends a “<” character.
  • It then writes it in the field.

Field values starting with a < (less than) sign are normally used to indicate values less than the detection limit. However, if you wish, you can simply write the detection limit, or write half the detection limit.

Lab Code - Replace With

Enter the codes (used in the lab file) that you want to replace, and enter the identifiers you want to replace them with.

Below Detection Limit

Replace lab code

The Lab will enter a code (e.g. BDL) when the sample result was below the detection limit of the sampling method. Select this option when you want to replace the entry made by the Lab.

Lab Code

Enter the code the lab has used to indicate the sample result was below the detection limit of the sampling method (e.g. BDL).

Write text and Replace with

Select this option when you want to write a text code in the output file for assays that fall below the detection limit. The program locates the lab codes that indicate the assay result was below the detection limit. It replaces them with the text code you enter in Replace with.

Write < x.xx, Write x.xx, Write 0.5 x.xx

Select an option when you want to write the detection limit in the output file when an assay result falls below the detection limit. Field values starting with a < (less than) sign are normally used to indicate values less than the detection limit. However, if you wish, you can simply write the detection limit, or write half the detection limit.

Detection Limit Row, Column, Width

Define where the function will find the detection limit values in the lab file, by  specifying a Row number, Start Column , and Column Width.  Usually the Row will be very close to the column headers.

Close

Finally, click Close to return to the main form.