H.
BTEC L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 4: Laboratory Techniques and their
Application
Assignment 4D: Understand how scientific information
may be stored and communicated in a workplace
laboratory
Introduction
The scientific companies I chose for this assignment are Moderna and HSL
(Health Services Laboratories).
In this assignment, I will explain how scientific information in both companies is
recorded and processed so that customer needs are met and traceability is
ensured.
There are many different types of data which are stored in scientific companies
such as COSHH records, scientific data, scientific apparatus, waste disposal,
health and safety checks, training records, quality assurance, report records,
specific expectation, management, security, etc (3).
In addition to this, there are also different types of information that need to be
stored and processed in scientific companies like customer details, product
details, manufacturing data, warehousing data, standard operating procedures,
sample details, maintenance records, safety data, environmental records, etc.
At the end of this assignment, I will evaluate the difficulties of making large
amounts of data available for both companies researched.
Moderna
Introduction
Moderna is a pharmaceutical and biotechnology company that focuses on
manufacturing and producing mRNA vaccines worldwide (2). They only have one
product known as the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, and this product had to
undergo clinical trials to be used as a vaccine for COVID-19 (2).
Recording, storing and management of information
On a day-to-day basis, the following data is produced:
- Health and safety checks
- COSHH records
- Scientific data
- Report records
- Quality assurance
- Security and data protection
- Waste disposal
- Sample throughput
These data types are collected daily using online forms, in-person surveys and
online software. For example, health and safety checks are conducted daily to
1
, H.
BTEC L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 4: Laboratory Techniques and their
Application
ensure the safety of the scientific workplace is maintained, e.g. by carrying out
risk assessments. These checks are carried out by health and safety staff as well
as the head of departments- the only individuals who should have access to this
type of data and who are allowed to change it (3). Another example is COSHH
records which are records based on the health and safety of hazardous
substances. These records are kept updated on a day-to-day basis by lab
technicians as well as heads of departments (3). The substances used to
manufacture and produce the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine have health and safety
risks which need to be made aware by these records therefore it is important
that they are kept up to date by these individuals. Moreover, scientific data is
produced on a day-to-day basis as a multitude of scientific assessments and
analyses are carried out daily by several individuals within departments.
Deputies, heads of departments and individuals working in the laboratories can
record, access, and change this type of data. Report records are also produced
on a day-to-day basis as the Moderna vaccine is continuously being tested since
some individuals are unable to be administered this vaccine due to its side
effects (3). These records are made to be used by a GP and so clinical staff can
access these records while office staff are able to update this data. In terms of
quality assurance, Moderna performs tests on a day-to-day basis for their
Moderna vaccine to see if the quality can be improved (2). These tests are
carried out by heads of departments and these individuals can only have access
to and change this data. Security and data protection are always maintained on
a day-to-day basis as data provided by a patient must always be protected and
kept secure in accordance with the Data Protection Act. Individuals with
authority should be made aware of how to protect their patients' data in terms of
what cannot be shared and what must be kept secure. Additionally, waste
disposal is produced on a day-to-day basis as many substances are used and
disposed of each day in a laboratory, therefore data is recorded regarding what
is being disposed of as well as how much is being disposed of. Those involved
with waste disposal, technicians and heads of departments can access this data
as well as adjust the data (3). Sample throughput is another type of data that is
produced on a day-to-day basis at Moderna as samples are processed and tested
in laboratories. Heads of departments are responsible for this data and can
access it at any time.
These types of data produced at Moderna are stored using a software called LIMS
(Laboratory Information Management System) (4). LIMS is used to track, record
along with process a large volume of data. The advantages of using LIMS are:
- Data is easily accessible, as it is stored on one central location and so can
easily be transferred to other systems
- Prevents human error, can integrate with equipment, e.g. balances, and so
can automatically record data
- Saves time, as it can integrate with equipment, time is saved when
collecting data as it can automatically record data
On the other hand, using LIMS, can also have some disadvantages:
- If hacked large amounts of data stored can be lost/leaked, which can
cause massive problems for individuals as well as the company
- Requires training to use which can be expensive as well as time-
consuming
- Software can crash as large amounts of data are stored
2
BTEC L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 4: Laboratory Techniques and their
Application
Assignment 4D: Understand how scientific information
may be stored and communicated in a workplace
laboratory
Introduction
The scientific companies I chose for this assignment are Moderna and HSL
(Health Services Laboratories).
In this assignment, I will explain how scientific information in both companies is
recorded and processed so that customer needs are met and traceability is
ensured.
There are many different types of data which are stored in scientific companies
such as COSHH records, scientific data, scientific apparatus, waste disposal,
health and safety checks, training records, quality assurance, report records,
specific expectation, management, security, etc (3).
In addition to this, there are also different types of information that need to be
stored and processed in scientific companies like customer details, product
details, manufacturing data, warehousing data, standard operating procedures,
sample details, maintenance records, safety data, environmental records, etc.
At the end of this assignment, I will evaluate the difficulties of making large
amounts of data available for both companies researched.
Moderna
Introduction
Moderna is a pharmaceutical and biotechnology company that focuses on
manufacturing and producing mRNA vaccines worldwide (2). They only have one
product known as the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, and this product had to
undergo clinical trials to be used as a vaccine for COVID-19 (2).
Recording, storing and management of information
On a day-to-day basis, the following data is produced:
- Health and safety checks
- COSHH records
- Scientific data
- Report records
- Quality assurance
- Security and data protection
- Waste disposal
- Sample throughput
These data types are collected daily using online forms, in-person surveys and
online software. For example, health and safety checks are conducted daily to
1
, H.
BTEC L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 4: Laboratory Techniques and their
Application
ensure the safety of the scientific workplace is maintained, e.g. by carrying out
risk assessments. These checks are carried out by health and safety staff as well
as the head of departments- the only individuals who should have access to this
type of data and who are allowed to change it (3). Another example is COSHH
records which are records based on the health and safety of hazardous
substances. These records are kept updated on a day-to-day basis by lab
technicians as well as heads of departments (3). The substances used to
manufacture and produce the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine have health and safety
risks which need to be made aware by these records therefore it is important
that they are kept up to date by these individuals. Moreover, scientific data is
produced on a day-to-day basis as a multitude of scientific assessments and
analyses are carried out daily by several individuals within departments.
Deputies, heads of departments and individuals working in the laboratories can
record, access, and change this type of data. Report records are also produced
on a day-to-day basis as the Moderna vaccine is continuously being tested since
some individuals are unable to be administered this vaccine due to its side
effects (3). These records are made to be used by a GP and so clinical staff can
access these records while office staff are able to update this data. In terms of
quality assurance, Moderna performs tests on a day-to-day basis for their
Moderna vaccine to see if the quality can be improved (2). These tests are
carried out by heads of departments and these individuals can only have access
to and change this data. Security and data protection are always maintained on
a day-to-day basis as data provided by a patient must always be protected and
kept secure in accordance with the Data Protection Act. Individuals with
authority should be made aware of how to protect their patients' data in terms of
what cannot be shared and what must be kept secure. Additionally, waste
disposal is produced on a day-to-day basis as many substances are used and
disposed of each day in a laboratory, therefore data is recorded regarding what
is being disposed of as well as how much is being disposed of. Those involved
with waste disposal, technicians and heads of departments can access this data
as well as adjust the data (3). Sample throughput is another type of data that is
produced on a day-to-day basis at Moderna as samples are processed and tested
in laboratories. Heads of departments are responsible for this data and can
access it at any time.
These types of data produced at Moderna are stored using a software called LIMS
(Laboratory Information Management System) (4). LIMS is used to track, record
along with process a large volume of data. The advantages of using LIMS are:
- Data is easily accessible, as it is stored on one central location and so can
easily be transferred to other systems
- Prevents human error, can integrate with equipment, e.g. balances, and so
can automatically record data
- Saves time, as it can integrate with equipment, time is saved when
collecting data as it can automatically record data
On the other hand, using LIMS, can also have some disadvantages:
- If hacked large amounts of data stored can be lost/leaked, which can
cause massive problems for individuals as well as the company
- Requires training to use which can be expensive as well as time-
consuming
- Software can crash as large amounts of data are stored
2
