The process of pooling samples in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is exactly like in your lab: From several individual samples, a pool sample is first created in the LIMS. Afterwards, the result determined for the pool sample is transferred to the individual samples using a formula.

In the following, we will show you step by step how you can use pool samples in your LIMS:

A: Combining multiple individual samples into one pool sample

1.) You create the individual samples in your analysis order. Each individual sample also receives a unique sample number.

2.) Now select the individual samples in the sample list from which you want to form a pool sample.

3.) At the bottom of your sample list, select the option Create Pool Sample and click display to execute the action. A new sample with a new number, the pool sample, will be created.

4.) In the "Create Samples" mask, you will now see the sample numbers of the individual samples that are linked to this pool sample in the "Pool Samples" master data field.

For the pooled samples, the information has now been added that this individual sample is part of a specific pool.

B: Using the pool sample result in individual samples via formula

Next, you can now use a formula to set up that the results entered for the pool sample are automatically transferred to the individual samples.

The formula looks as follows:
valuefromsample(Sample ID, Parameter Abbreviation, Column)

We retrieve the sample ID from the master data field DDF_part_of_pool, where the ID of the pool sample is stored (for all pooled individual samples).
An example: With this formula, we retrieve the value from column 0 of the parameter with the abbreviation Pool and the sample ID from the master data field DDF_part_of_pool.

valuefromsample(stammdatenfeld('DDF_part_of_pool'), 'Pool', 0)

By storing the formula in the schema valuefromsample(stammdatenfeld('DDF_part_of_pool'), 'Pool', 0) in a parameter that is created for the pool sample and for the pooled individual samples, the stored result of the pool is transferred to all pooled individual samples.

To be able to create pool samples in your laboratory database, please speak with your customer advisors; we will gladly activate this function for you.