Table 3.

Breakdown of the steps involved in the pipeline, how each step is manually recorded and the proposed electronic alternative

Task	Manual step	Electronic alternative
Samples received by the Crick from courier.	Sample delivery recorded via Crick usual processes	Notification system alerts
		Flow team that samples have been received
Samples collected from Crick drop off point and transported in the transfer box via shortest route.	Operator signs the paper log to confirm collection of samples	Notification system alerts
		Flow team the samples are in transit to the lab
Sample container placed in hood and visually inspected for leakages.	Operator records if any sample leakages seen on paper log	Operator records if any sample leakages are seen on LIMS
Samples scanned to confirm receipt.	Record made on the paper log of number on box	Notification system alerts sender samples have been received
Quarantine process initiated for any samples that are unexpected, incorrect or missing.	Quarantine logbook on sample fridge requires signing into the fridge with specific location and reason for quarantine.	Fridge Log tracks what samples are in which section of quarantine and notification system alerts sender samples are waiting.
For each sample 250 μl of serum will be transferred into one 5 ml tube and has a bar code attached.	One barcode is stuck to the paper log to confirm which tubes have been received.	Notification system records which samples match those we are expected to receive and highlights any “Quarantine” samples.
Serum quality logged for any hemolyzed or viscous samples.	Any samples that are hemolyzed or viscous are marked next to their barcode on the paper log.	Option on the dashboard to select sample is hemolyzed or viscous for specific samples.
Up to 40 samples are placed onto the robot and duplicated in a 96‐well plate (Library Plate) with one Plate Manifest barcode.	Table filled in with sample barcodes.	The Plate barcode is scanned.
	A copy of the Plate Manifest barcode is attached.	The robot individually scans the barcode of each sample and tracks it into whichever well the sample is placed.
		A plate manifest layout document is created with the date and time.
40 original 5 ml tube samples tracked for −80°C storage and the date and time marked on the rack.	Date and time of the 5 ml samples recorded.	FreezerPro® records date and time the 5 ml samples are being tracked.
Sample tubes are stored in the fridge (4°C) until ELISA is complete.	Operator signs samples into fridge using paper log.	N/A
ELISA process carried out.	SOP checklist double signed to confirm operator has carried out each stage.	Electronic checklist updated when each section of ELISA SOP completed.
ELISA plate placed on reader.	Plate barcode is recorded on paper log.	Scan plate onto reader so that notification system logs plate barcode as “being read”.
Results generated for reporting.	Print a copy of the CSV. File generated by the plate reader and store.	Electronic reporting process carried out via LIMS.
Completed samples are transferred from fridge to freezer.	Sign in and sign out sheet on each fridge detailing what samples are where.	FreezerPro®.