This article is part of our Application Protocol Help Centre series🔗 designed to help you get the best performance from your Delvotest® system. By following a unified application protocol across multiple laboratories, you can significantly reduce variability, enhance reliability, and achieve more consistent results. In this article, we focus on minimising delays during application steps—one of the core principles for operational success🔗—to ensure uniform conditions and maintain test accuracy.
From sample arrival to sample preparation
Respect local regulatory standards for sample intake and handling, including temperature (e.g., 4~7 °C) and time thresholds (e.g., ≤72 hours in transit). Always follow the application requirements for your reference controls.
From first to last sample filling
Once you begin filling the plate-wells, minimize delays between the first and last sample added to ensures consistency across all samples.
From the last sample to the start of incubation
Begin incubation immediately after the last sample is added to ensure uniform conditions for all samples during incubation.
From incubation end to reading results
If you are using a Delvotest® Accelerator Smart system, the reading step is automated. Colour development continues after incubation is completed and the results of the plate cannot be read visually when incubating with the DAS.
From reading results to documenting abnormalities
In rare cases where abnormal performance occurs, you may wish to photograph the plate’s end-state. This is only possible at the moment the incubation has finished as incubating even a few minutes longer can change the color development.
Visual reading in the DAS is not possible as the plate will remain for many minutes at elevated temperature after incubation is completed before returning to power saving mode and room temperature. Remember that the DAS will capture the last minute of the incubation at control time in the test measurement folder. However, reading results via the final picture is not validated and should only be used as a quick confirmation of sample abnormalities for troubleshooting.
Next Steps
In the next article, we will explore another fundamental principle—Adhere, Trust, Consult—to promote compliance and confidence in your testing protocols.
⏭️ Next article: Trust and support🔗