Skip to main content

Result Specifications & Out-of-Range Alerts

Result Specifications define the acceptable range for a given analysis result. When a submitted result falls outside the defined range, Clearline LIMS flags it so analysts and Lab Managers can review it before the sample is verified and published.

What Are Specifications?​

A Specification defines a minimum and maximum acceptable value for an analysis. For example:

AnalysisMinMaxUnit
pH6.58.5—
Calcium10120mg/L
Total Hardness0300mg/L CaCO₃

Specifications are defined per sample type — the same analysis might have different acceptable ranges for water samples vs soil samples, for example.

Who Manages Specifications?​

Specifications are configured by the CTM team based on your lab's requirements and applicable regulatory standards.

To add new specifications, modify existing ranges, or remove specifications that no longer apply, contact support@clearlinelims.com with:

  • The analysis name
  • The sample type it applies to
  • The minimum and maximum acceptable values and units

How Out-of-Range Results Are Flagged​

When an analyst enters a result value and clicks Save, the system checks the value against any configured specification:

  • Within range — Result displays normally with no indicator.
  • Out of range — Result is flagged with a visual warning (typically a colored indicator or alert icon). The result is still saved and can still be submitted.

Out-of-range flags are visible:

  • On the sample detail page in the analyses table
  • On the worksheet if results are being entered in batch
  • In the report preview before publishing

What Analysts Should Do with Out-of-Range Results​

An out-of-range flag does not automatically prevent submission or publication. It is a quality alert, not a hard stop. Your lab's procedure determines how to handle flagged results — options include:

  • Confirm the value is correct and proceed to submit (the flag will be visible to the verifier)
  • Re-run the analysis if the value is suspect
  • Add a comment noting the reason for the deviation
  • Reject the sample if it cannot be corrected

Your Lab Manager or internal QA procedures will define the appropriate response for your lab.

Out-of-Range Results in Reports​

When a result is out of range, the published report reflects this. Depending on your lab's report template, out-of-range values may be:

  • Highlighted or bolded
  • Marked with a flag indicator (e.g., ↑ or ↓ arrows)
  • Accompanied by the reference range for comparison

Report formatting for out-of-range results is configured by the CTM team. Contact support@clearlinelims.com to customize how flags appear in your reports.