Introduction

We are happy to announce that v9.0 is ready for download! This release includes new features, usability enhancements, and bug fixes requested by customers. 

New features include:

• Pooled specimens

• Draft & Publish mode for collection protocols

• Processing Workflows

• Database console to execute SQLs directly from UI

• Inbuilt backup support

• Improvements in Specimen centric CPs, Specimen Catalog, Distribution

• Many other bug fixes and improvements

Download

Software/Hardware requirements

Review this page before upgrading for any changes: Software/Hardware Requirements.

Draft & Publish Mode for CPs

To meet certain standards of regulatory compliances, there should be a way to review protocol revisions before the changes are approved and published. In v9.0, when admins make any amends to a protocol, automatically the protocol changes to draft mode.

Open

Until the admins publish the changes, the ‘DRAFT’ watermark is visible on all pages corresponding to the CP like participant, visit, specimen, forms pages etc.

All revisions that are done to the CP are visible as a history.

Refer to https://openspecimen.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CAT/pages/2426896404 for more details.

Processing workflows

Reported by: University Medical Center Utrecht, Amsterdam University Medical Center

Admins can now design workflows for different collection and processing procedures. Each workflow can contain multiple tasks associated with each processing step. Tasks can be assigned to specific user groups.

For example, Serum Blood Processing can be defined as a workflow that consists of tasks to receive blood tubes, rest the tubes for certain duration, spin at specific speed & duration, process into serum aliquots, and store. 

Open

Other features of workflows:

• Every step or task in the workflow can consist of different data fields or operations to perform

• Defaults can be set at every task level

• Deviations from the standard tasks can be tracked and reasons captured

• Specific tasks can be skipped

• Tasks can include printing labels

Refer to https://openspecimen.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CAT/pages/2430959621 for more details.

Pooled Specimens

Reported by: Amsterdam University Medical Center

It is now possible to merge two specimens into one using the ‘Pool’ specimen feature. This allows to select more than two specimens and merge into single specimen which can be further stored or processed. This is a common procedure in blood processing workflow. Pooling option is available in multiple pages like cart, specimen list, visit page, etc.

Pooled specimens are indicated with ‘Pink’ status and pooled events.

Refer to for more details.

Database Console via UI

Reported by: Multiple Centers

Super admins can now direct SQLs from OpenSpecimen UI. This is limited to Describe, Insert, Update, Delete operations. This is useful for admins to undo delete of records, reset label sequence, check query slowness etc.

Refer to for more details.

Inbuilt backup support

Super admins can create DB backups from the UI now. This creates backup file of both the database and the data directory. This is useful in case admins want to backup before upgrades, major data uploads or taking regular backups.

Logs are generated and email notification is sent if the backup fails.

Improvement in Specimen Centric CPs

Reported by: Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Specimen Centric Collection Protocols(CP) now support defining specimen requirements to allow users to pre-define commonly collected specimens and the processing procedures. This will allow users to collect specimens as per CP.

Refer to for more details.

Catalog enhancements

Reported by: University of Adelaide

Catalogs can now be assigned to specific user groups. This will allow restricting access to a set of users for private Catalogs. If the Catalog is not assigned to user group, it is accessible to all users who have Catalog read access.

Refer to for more details.

Bugs & Enhancements

Below are some other fixes implemented in v9.0:

All Improvements and Bugs

Needs Jira login to view the below table.