Applying Data Integrity to Field Activities

Webcast

Course Description:

In 2006, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) in the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) issued a report dedicated to improving drinking water laboratory integrity (Report No. 2006-P-00036). While focused on laboratory data integrity, the authors recognized that field activities (including field measurements and sample collection) were subject to vulnerabilities and lapses in data integrity. The NELAC Institute (TNI), in its standard “General Requirements for Field Sampling and Measurement Organizations (FSMO)”, outlined requirements for a robust data integrity program. The integrity of the collected sample is key to providing clients with test results of known and verifiable quality. If the original sample does not represent the source, the test results are useless. The concept of data integrity has been a long-neglected subject in field operations but is an integral component that serves to ensure the collection of proper and representative samples. It is imperative that field operations understand the need for data integrity and address the vulnerable activities that could result in unintentional or deliberate actions that could impact sample representativeness. 

This course will introduce the field community to the concept of data integrity, and how the implementation of procedures that enhance the ability of an organization to ensure that their records, field measurements, and collected samples are collected under a system that not only supports data integrity and ethical behavior but provides the assurance that the information are accurate and true.

Expected Benefit of Training

Greater awareness of data integrity - the good and the bad. Understand how good data integrity practices can discourage unethical or unacceptable practices.

Learning Objectives:

• Understands the definitions of data integrity and quality systems.
• Understands how a robust quality system can deter inappropriate behaviors.
• Knows how to formulate an Ethics and Data Integrity policies.
• Understands the difference between intentional and non-intentional field improper practices.
• Understands the consequences of poor performance, unethical behavior or any activity that might misrepresent the quality of the organization’s work
• Familiar with examples of improper sample collection practices (i.e., erroneous sampling site, lack of field instrument calibration, improper well purging, etc.)
• Knows how to detect and deter unethical behavior.
• Understands how to address Conflict of Interest.
• Familiar with published documents regarding sample collection vulnerabilities (i.e., OIG Evaluation Report No. 2006-P-00036 (Promising Techniques Identified to Improve Drinking Water Laboratory Integrity and Reduce Public Health Risks).
• Understands the requirements related to ethics and data integrity in Sections 4.2.8 and 5.2.2.2 of the FSMO-V1-ISO-2014-Rev.2.0: General Requirements for FSMOs standard.

Intended Audience:

This course is designed for Accreditation Bodies, Assessors, Internal Auditors, Quality Managers, Analysts, FSMO Managers,,and Samplers.

Group rates are available: Each purchased webcast is to be viewed by only one student. If you would like multiple viewers, separate purchases must be made. A group rate of $525 for TNI members or $600 for non-members is available for groups of 5-10 students at a single location. Click here to purchase this webcast at the group rate.

TNI Members: you must be logged-in to the website to receive the member rate.

No certificates are automatically provided with this training. A Certificate of Completion (CoC) ($30 per person) or Certificate of Attendance (CoA) ($20 per person) may be purchased during or after registration or webcast purchase. A passing score of at least 70% must be received on the exam in order to receive CEUs and a CoC. Scores of less than 70% will receive a Certificate of Attendance at no reduced fee. For a CoA you will not need to take the quiz and you will not receive CEUs. To receive your certificate, contact Paul Junio at [email protected] with date of purchase and date of training completion. See FAQs for additional information.

Format:
Webcast

About Webcasts: Upon receipt of your payment, you will receive a special link by e-mail to watch the webcast on your computer. The link is time-limited: you will have full access to the webcast and any associated handouts for 6 months after receipt of payment, at which time the link will expire. Webcasts cannot be downloaded; they are intended for viewing on your computer only during the 6-month window. If you have any questions, please contact Ilona Taunton at [email protected].

Length:
5 hours

CEUs: 0.5

Presented By:


Silky and John Labie

About the Presenter:
The principals of ELCAT, LLC collectively have over 70 years of experience in laboratory and field quality management. ELCAT, LLC provides extensive training of laboratory and field personnel in sampling techniques, quality management and training that addresses the requirements of the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP). It performs readiness audits for laboratories who desire to improve their quality system for the purposes of NELAP accreditation. ELCAT presents training and presentations on quality-related topics such as method performance, data integrity, corrective and preventive actions, root-cause analysis, data usability, and the role of quality managers. The company is used exclusively by the University of Florida Center for Training, Research & Education for Environmental Occupations (TREEO) for all off-site training of field personnel. It is regularly asked to provide presentations at the Florida Society of Environmental Analysts (FSEA) meetings. ELCAT, LLC has also provided training and presentations for New York City, the State of Virginia, and The NELAC Institute (TNI).