Using Preloads

A preload is a template for LDMS Specimen Management that fills out the expected primaries and aliquot collections for a particular study and visit combination. A preload is triggered by entering information into the patient grid that meets the criteria for the preload. For example, a preload may be triggered by a 1 WK visit for study S103. If you enter this information for the participant, LDMS will prompt you if you'd like to use a preload.

A preload automatically fills out the expected specimen collections for that visit. For example, if a study defines 3 vials on BLD on the visit 3 WK, the preload will add those 3 primaries and the aliquots that are supposed to be produced from them. This will save you a lot of data entry work.

There are two types of preloads: FSTRF-defined and user-defined. FSTRF-defined preloads are created through collaboration between groups and Frontier Science, and are sent to laboratories through deploys. These preloads cannot be modified by individual LDMS users. Many groups also will not allow users to define their own preloads for those groups as well, preferring to define them at a leadership level instead. This is to prevent individual laboratories from creating an incorrect preload and logging specimens improperly. User-defined preloads are, of course, preloads created at your laboratory. You're free to use these as you see fit, though you won't be able to create them for some groups. There are no limitations to creating preloads for internal groups.

To see what preloads are available and how to trigger them you can do one of the following.

  1. Click Administration > Define Preloads from the LDMS menu bar. Here, you can create, view, and modify preloads.

  2. Generate the Preload List report, which is found by clicking Tasks > Reports, then selecting Preload > Preload List.