Maintaining OOS Classifications?

Step-by-step guide for creating and managing Out-of-Specification (OOS) classifications in SiCompounding.

Overview

Out-of-Specification (OOS) results require documented investigation, remediation, and a scientifically justified disposition. OOS investigations apply to raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products. Within SiCompounding, OOS Classifications let your QA team categorize, track, and manage OOS events to meet regulatory expectations and support testing into compliance.

For regulatory context, refer to your local guidance and the FDA's policy on OOS investigations.

Settings → Quality Assurance → OOS Classifications

OOS Classifications Window (Overview)

The OOS Classifications window provides a cascading classification model used to tag OOS events. At the top of the page there is a control: Create Note when Create OOS (Yes | No).

Primary columns:

Group — High-level grouping (e.g., Drug Potency failure)
Type — Process-level cause (e.g., Stability issues, Poor formulation)
Category — Specific root cause type (e.g., API concentration, Degradation Issues)
Sub Category — Detailed classification (e.g., Calculation error, Equipment failure)

Fields Table

Field	Description	Example
Group	Broad OOS grouping used as the top-level classification	Drug potency failure
Type	Process-level classification related to the Group	Stability issues
Category	More granular cause category tied to Type	API concentration
Sub Category	Detailed sub-class tied to Category for root-cause tracking	Calculation error
Create Note when Create OOS	Toggle that adds a note prompt during OOS creation	Yes / No

Creating Classifications (Cascading Process)

Create classifications from left-to-right so each level associates with its parent.

Create a Group
- Click + under Group to open the OOS Classification popup.
- Enter the Group name and optional description.
- Click Save to create the Group.
Add a Type
- Select the target Group.
- Click + under Type to add a Type associated with the Group.
- Enter Type details and click Save.
Add a Category
- Select the target Type.
- Click + under Category to add a Category associated with the Type.
- Enter Category details and click Save.
Add a Sub Category
- Select the target Category.
- Click + under Sub Category to add a Sub Category associated with the Category.
- Enter Sub Category details and click Save.

Each + action opens the OOS Classification popup. Use the gear (⚙) icon to edit or delete existing entries.

Edit / Delete

Click the gear (⚙) icon next to any classification to access:

Edit — Modify the selected entry; click Save to apply changes.
Delete — Open confirmation dialog: DELETE permanently removes the entry or CANCEL aborts.

Example Classifications (Common Use Cases)

Group	Type	Category	Sub Category
Drug Potency	Stability	Degradation Issues	Accelerated storage failure
Manufacturing	Process Variation	Formulation Error	Incorrect mixing ratio
Regulatory	Approval Delay	Documentation	Missing stability protocol

Best Practices

Build classification hierarchies that reflect your QA workflow and regulatory reporting structures.
Keep names concise and standardized to ensure consistent tagging across OOS events.
Use Create Note when Create OOS to capture immediate context for critical events.
Periodically review and update classifications to remove obsolete entries and consolidate duplicates.

About Pharmacy Settings

Important: The Pharmacy Settings area contains templates and default configurations and must be completed before using other areas of SiCompounding. From Pharmacy Settings you can manage:

Product Settings
Facility Areas
Equipment
Workflows
Costs and Fees
Lab Work
COM Templates
Notifications
Integrations
Automation Logs

This completes the guide for Maintaining OOS Classifications in SiCompounding.