Mass Spec SOP

[4meljones]

Can someone recommend things that a GC-MS standard operating procedure should have? I need to write an SOP, but I am very new to the MSD. I would like to have enough detail for a reasonable person to operate the system. For example, what are good parameters for the system when not in use (stand-by mode)? Which items should be immediately available to the user and which are ok to say "see the manual"? How often should the source be cleaned? I know this is a very general question, but does anyone have any tips for a rookie like myself? What common mistakes should I be avoiding?

[Rndirk]

You can find plenty of examples on the internet.

Write it in the sense that a person with the knowlegde your institute defines as 'common' can run a sample from start to finish. I would try to avoid the line 'check the manual'.

A good practice is to let users run a system suitability test (SST) before operation. This is a standard solution that users inject and evaluate based on your criteria: for instance peak X need a S/N of 5, or the separation between peak X and Y needs to be <60%. If the test doesn't pass, the users should contact an advanced user before running.

- Source cleaning: typically 2 times / year.

[tkubowicz]

Hello

1. SOP should contain all needed information to operate instrument - for example: how to switch it on (order), how to tune it, how to set up method etc.
2.All maintenance procedure (done by operator) should be in separate document. And all should be written whith sense. For example ion source should be cleaned as needed (not every 6 month) because its state (contamination) depends on your samples/std etc.

Regards

Tomasz Kubowicz