Automating the Competence Matrix of a Quality Control Laboratory with the Relational Database Management Framework—A Case Study with the Analytical Chemistry Unit of a National Regulatory Agency  

作　　者：Marcel Okezue Eric Dietz Marcel Okezue;Eric Dietz(Computer and Information Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA)

机构地区：[1]Computer and Information Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA

出　　处：《E-Health Telecommunication Systems and Networks》2023年第2期15-33,共19页远程医疗系统和网络（英文）

摘　　要：This study analyzed the concept of time efficiency in the data management process associated with the personnel training and competence assessments in one of the quality control (QC) laboratories of Nigeria’s Foods and Drugs Authority (NAFDAC). The laboratory administrators were burdened with a lot of mental and paper-based record keeping because the personnel training’s data were managed manually, hence not efficiently processed. The Excel spreadsheet provided by a Purdue doctoral dissertation as a remedial to this challenge was found to be deficient in handling operations in database tables, and therefore did not appropriately address the inefficiencies. Purpose: This study aimed to reduce the time it essentially takes to generate, obtain, manipulate, exchange, and securely store data that are associated with personnel competence training and assessments. Method: The study developed a software system that was integrated with a relational database management system (RDBMS) to improve manual/Excel-based data management procedures. To validate the efficiency of the software the mean operational times in using the Excel-based format were compared with that of the “New” software system. The data were obtained by performing four predefined core tasks for five hypothetical subjects using Excel and the “New” system (the model system) respectively. Results: It was verified that the average time to accomplish the specified tasks using the “New” system (37.08 seconds) was significantly (p = 0.00191, α = 0.05) lower than the time measurements for the Excel system (77.39 seconds) in the ANACHEM laboratory. The RDBMS-based “New” system provided operational (time) efficiency in the personnel training and competence assessment process in the QC laboratory and reduced human errors.This study analyzed the concept of time efficiency in the data management process associated with the personnel training and competence assessments in one of the quality control (QC) laboratories of Nigeria’s Foods and Drugs Authority (NAFDAC). The laboratory administrators were burdened with a lot of mental and paper-based record keeping because the personnel training’s data were managed manually, hence not efficiently processed. The Excel spreadsheet provided by a Purdue doctoral dissertation as a remedial to this challenge was found to be deficient in handling operations in database tables, and therefore did not appropriately address the inefficiencies. Purpose: This study aimed to reduce the time it essentially takes to generate, obtain, manipulate, exchange, and securely store data that are associated with personnel competence training and assessments. Method: The study developed a software system that was integrated with a relational database management system (RDBMS) to improve manual/Excel-based data management procedures. To validate the efficiency of the software the mean operational times in using the Excel-based format were compared with that of the “New” software system. The data were obtained by performing four predefined core tasks for five hypothetical subjects using Excel and the “New” system (the model system) respectively. Results: It was verified that the average time to accomplish the specified tasks using the “New” system (37.08 seconds) was significantly (p = 0.00191, α = 0.05) lower than the time measurements for the Excel system (77.39 seconds) in the ANACHEM laboratory. The RDBMS-based “New” system provided operational (time) efficiency in the personnel training and competence assessment process in the QC laboratory and reduced human errors.

关 键 词：Data Management RDBMS NAFDAC Personnel Assessment SOP PROFICIENCY 

分 类 号：TP3[自动化与计算机技术—计算机科学与技术]