Keeping Pace® with Analytical Services

Subscribe to our blog here:

Demonstrating USP <797> Surface Sampling Competency

In 2023, the USP <797> standard for compounded sterile preparations was significantly revised to improve patient safety. Not only are there more protocols to follow, but pharmacies may need to demonstrate their adherence to USP <797> to various Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Proving adherence includes documenting standard operating procedures (SOPs), but it also includes providing ample evidence that these SOPs are followed and effective.

Read More

Environmental Consultants: Are You Ready to Include PFAS in Your ESAs?

Environmental consultants who conduct ESAs (environmental site assessments) are likely to see PFAS start playing a much larger role in their work. For those of you who are already dealing with PFAS, some of this may be remedial, but the goal of this post is to bring everyone up to date. This includes business leaders who may be buying, selling, or transferring property, including through merger or acquisition.

Read More

What You Need to Know about the New PFAS Limits in Drinking Water

Issuing federally enforceable limits for PFAS in drinking water was a key action outlined in the U.S. EPA’s 2021-2024 PFAS Strategic Roadmap. In 2023, the agency released its initial proposal. Then, after considering more than 120,000 public comments and a review of the final rule by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the final rule was released on April 10, 2024. In this post, we review the different aspects of this rule and its implications for our customers.

Read More

Gearing Up for Summer: Legionella in the Hospitality Industry

As the U.S. summer vacation season heats up, now would be a good time for hotels, spas, health clubs, and other facilities catering to a water-minded clientele to test their water systems for opportunistic waterborne pathogens. According to the latest waterborne disease outbreak surveillance report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 62% of waterborne disease outbreaks originated in recreational water systems. Of course, recreational water–associated outbreaks can happen year-round, but 31% of these cases occurred in June or July.

Read More

The Chain of Custody Form: Sample Collection, Where it All Begins

The quality of data generated by the laboratory is only as good as the quality of the sample collected in the field. The Chain of Custody form is a critical document that guarantees the integrity and reliability of samples collected for analysis. This form documents every stage of the process and assigns responsibility for the sample at each stage. It is particularly crucial in legal proceedings where the analytical data may be used as evidence.

Read More