JP7568385B2 - Sanitation Management System - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a hygiene management system, a program, and an identification code.

Patent Document 1 describes a hygiene control system that uses a film-type culture medium or a culture medium formed in a petri dish. In the hygiene control system, food during or after production is extracted as a specimen in a production process for producing food or in a work line having an inspection process for inspecting the food. In the hygiene control system, data is managed on the culture status when general live bacteria or pre-specified bacteria such as E. coli adhering to the specimen are cultured in the film-type culture medium.

The hygiene management system has a plurality of portable communication terminal devices used to register culture medium information for each film-type culture medium, an administrator terminal device used to print culture medium labels to be affixed to the culture medium in which food is cultured as a specimen, a label printing device connected to the administrator terminal device, and a data processing unit that executes various data processing. The culture medium label has a culture medium ID, which is identification information for distinguishing the culture medium from other culture media, and readable information in which at least a portion of the work information is formed so as to be readable by the worker.

In the data processing unit, a colony detection judgment process is executed by the colony detection judgment unit to detect the number of colonies in the photographed culture medium image data. At this time, the colony detection judgment unit detects colonies from the culture medium image data, and the number of detected colonies is registered. Then, based on the number of colonies registered by the colony detection judgment unit, the pass/fail judgment result of each film-type culture medium sample is registered.

The pass/fail judgment of a sample is made by reading out the culture medium judgment criteria information obtained based on the criteria and the bacterial species used when culturing the sample. The culture medium judgment criteria information is stored in ROM/RAM, and the pass/fail judgment of a sample is made based on the stored culture medium judgment criteria information. In addition, the pass/fail judgment of each sample is made based on a threshold number of bacteria that is preset according to the bacterial species to be detected from the sample, and the threshold number of bacteria is stored in a database.

JP 2014-26472 A

In the hygiene management system described above, the threshold value for the number of test substances such as bacteria that is used when judging the pass/fail status of each sample is stored in a database. When the threshold value on which the judgment is based is stored in a database in this way, there is a possibility that the threshold value stored in the database may be tampered with. If the threshold value stored in the database is tampered with, there is a concern that samples that should not have passed may be judged as passing. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of the accuracy of quality control.

A hygiene management system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a hygiene management system that acquires the number of test target substances and judges whether the number of test target substances passes or fails, and includes an identification code output unit that outputs an identification code including identification information that identifies the plate that detects the number of test target substances and a standard value that indicates the number of test target substances that serves as a criterion for judging whether the number passes or fails, an input unit to which the number of test target substances detected by the plate associated with the identification code is input, and a pass/fail judgment unit that compares the number of test target substances input to the input unit with the standard value output to the identification code to judge whether the number of test target substances passes or fails.

In this form of hygiene management system, the identification code output unit outputs an identification code including identification information for identifying the plate that detects the number of test substances and a standard value indicating the number of test substances that serves as a criterion for judging whether the number of test substances is acceptable or unacceptable. The plate detects the number of test substances in the specimen, and the output identification code is associated with the plate. The number of test substances obtained from the plate associated with the identification code is then input to the input unit, and the pass/fail judgment unit compares the number of test substances input to the input unit with the standard value output to the identification code to judge whether the number of test substances is acceptable or unacceptable. Thus, the standard value used to judge the number of test substances is output as an identification code by the identification code output unit, and the pass/fail judgment unit judges whether the number of test substances is acceptable or unacceptable based on the standard value of the output identification code. Therefore, it is possible to avoid using the value stored in the database as the standard value that serves as a criterion for judging whether the number of test substances is acceptable or unacceptable, thereby avoiding tampering with the standard value. As a result, it is possible to prevent tampering with the standard values on which judgments are based, and to prevent samples that should not have passed from being judged as passing, thereby improving the accuracy of quality control.

In another embodiment of the hygiene management system, the identification code output unit may output, together with the standard value and the identification information, a recommended measurement range for the pass/fail determination unit to determine whether or not to accept the number of test target substances detected by the plate.

In another embodiment of the hygiene management system, the identification code output unit may output the dilution ratio of the sample in which the number of test substances is to be tested, together with the standard value and the identification information.

In another embodiment of the hygiene management system, an approval request unit is provided to request approval to ship a sample after the number of test substances has been tested and the pass/fail determination of the number of test substances has been made, and the approval request unit may request primary approval for each test substance in the tested sample, and approval to ship the sample after primary approval has been given.

In another embodiment of the hygiene management system, the pass/fail determination unit may determine whether the number of test target substances for each of the multiple types of test target substances tested is pass/fail.

In another embodiment of the hygiene management system, a test content output unit may be provided that outputs a list of the samples to be tested and the test contents, including the number of test target substances.

A program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute the steps of outputting an identification code including identification information for identifying a plate for detecting the number of test substances and a standard value indicating the number of test substances that serves as a criterion for judging whether the number of test substances passes or fails, inputting the number of test substances detected by the plate associated with the identification code, and comparing the input number of test substances with the standard value output to the identification code to judge whether the number of test substances passes or fails.

This program outputs an identification code including identification information for identifying the plate for detecting the number of test substances and a standard value indicating the number of test substances that serves as a criterion for judging whether the number of test substances is acceptable or not. The plate for detecting the number of test substances in the specimen is associated with the output identification code, and the number of test substances is input from the plate associated with the identification code. In this program, the number of test substances that is input is compared with the standard value output to the identification code to judge whether the number of test substances is acceptable or not. Therefore, the standard value that serves as the criterion for judging the number of test substances is output as an identification code, and the number of test substances that is acceptable or not is judged based on the standard value of the output identification code. Therefore, it is possible to avoid using values stored in the database as standard values, and it is possible to avoid tampering with the standard value. As a result, the accuracy of quality control can be improved as described above.

The identification code according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes identification information for identifying the plate for detecting the number of test substances and a standard value indicating the number of test substances that serves as a criterion for determining whether the number of test substances is pass or fail, and is associated with the plate.

This identification code is associated with the plate that detects the number of test substances, and includes identification information that identifies the plate, and a standard value that indicates the number of test substances that serves as a criterion for determining whether the number of test substances passes or fails. Therefore, by determining whether the number of test substances passes or fails based on the standard value of this identification code, it is possible to eliminate the need to refer to a database to search for the standard value, and to prevent tampering with the standard value.

The present invention makes it possible to prevent tampering and improve the accuracy of quality control.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a hygiene management system according to an embodiment. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating examples of flows executed in sanitation management work. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an identification code according to the embodiment. 1 is a diagram for explaining information included in an identification code according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary plate used in the hygiene management system of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an embodiment in which an identification code is associated with the plate of FIG. 5 . FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an exemplary reader for reading the test substance detected by the plate. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying the number of bacteria (the number of colonies), which is an example of the number of test target substances input via the reader of FIG. 7. FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary data file including the number of test substances entered via the reader of FIG. 7. FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary test result bulk registration screen for registering the data file of FIG. 9. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a test result confirmation screen obtained from a data file registered on the test result batch registration screen of FIG. 10. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a test result report creation screen for creating a test result report obtained from a data file registered on the test result batch registration screen of FIG. 10. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data analysis file output screen for creating a data analysis file. 13A and 13B each show an example of a data analysis file. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of each process executed by a program according to the embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of each process executed by an approval request unit of the sanitation management system of FIG. 1 . 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a process different from that shown in FIG. 16, which is executed by an approval request unit of the sanitation management system of FIG. 1.

Below, an embodiment of the hygiene management system, program, and identification code according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, but is intended to include all modifications set forth in the claims and within the scope equivalent to the claims. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are omitted as appropriate. In addition, the drawings may be partially simplified or exaggerated for ease of understanding, and the dimensional ratios and the like are not limited to those shown in the drawings. Furthermore, the layout of the screens used in the hygiene management system is not limited to the examples described below and can be modified as appropriate.

The hygiene management system, program, and identification code according to this embodiment are, by way of example, a system, program, and identification code for managing food hygiene. In the hygiene management industry, which includes food, there is a demand for hygiene management to be performed quickly and with high precision, due to factors such as amendments to the Food Sanitation Act and other laws, diversification of consumption patterns including products, and the tendency for problems to spread easily on SNS (social network services) when they occur.

In particular, in recent years, labor shortages have become an issue due to factors such as a decline in the working population, and the burden on hygiene management work is increasing. Therefore, there is a demand for efficient hygiene management work. The hygiene management system, program, and identification code of this embodiment automatically creates documents including lists of samples to be tested and reports, thereby minimizing manual work such as handwriting and enabling hygiene management work to be performed efficiently and with high accuracy.

In the hygiene management system, program, and identification code according to this embodiment, the number of test target substances contained in a specimen is acquired, and the pass/fail of the acquired number of test target substances is judged. In this specification, the "test target substance" includes various bacteria including pathogens and hygiene indicator bacteria, as well as allergens (proteins, etc.), and in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the "test target substance" is hygiene indicator bacteria. The "specimen" refers to the object to be tested, and includes, for example, a measurement object in which the number (bacterial count) of bacteria, which is a type of test target substance, is measured. "Hygiene management" refers to managing the hygiene state of the specimen by measuring the number or presence or absence of test target substances such as pathogens, allergens, or food hygiene bacteria that may be contained in the specimen, and includes, for example, food hygiene management and environmental hygiene management.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a hygiene management system 1 exemplified in this embodiment. The hygiene management system 1 includes, for example, a server 10. The server 10 is capable of communicating with each of an examiner's terminal T1 and an approver's terminal T2. In this specification, an "examiner" refers to a person who examines a sample, and an "approver" refers to a person who approves the examination by the examiner, and may be, for example, the examiner's superior. "Terminal" includes information terminals such as personal computers and mobile terminals, and mobile terminals include portable terminals such as notebook computers, tablets, or mobile phones.

As an example, the server 10 may include a processor (e.g., a CPU) that executes an operating system and application programs, a main memory unit consisting of ROM and RAM, an auxiliary memory unit consisting of a hard disk or flash memory, a communication control unit consisting of a network card or a wireless communication module, an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, and an output device such as a monitor.

Each functional element of the server 10 is realized by loading a specific software into the processor or main memory and executing the software. The processor operates the communication control unit, input device, or output device described above in accordance with the software, and reads and writes data in the main memory or auxiliary memory. Data or databases required for processing by the server 10 are stored in the main memory or auxiliary memory. In this embodiment, the server 10 includes a memory unit 11 that stores received information, a display control unit 12 that controls the screens displayed on each of the terminals T1 and T2, an identification code output unit 13 that outputs an identification code C described below, an input unit 14 to which the number of tested bacteria (the number of substances to be tested) is input, a pass/fail judgment unit 15 that judges whether the number of bacteria is pass/fail, an approval request unit 16, an inspection content output unit 17, and a tamper judgment unit 18. Each screen displayed on each of the terminals T1 and T2 is controlled, for example, by the display control unit 12.

Figure 2 shows an exemplary flow diagram including the calculation of the number of bacteria in a sample and the determination of the number of bacteria executed by the hygiene management system 1. In the hygiene management system 1 according to this embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the need for handwritten work in each of steps S1 to S7 described below, making it possible to improve the efficiency of sample testing. Details of the processing and screen displays in each of steps S1 to S7 are described below.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, first, the master data D is registered in the memory unit 11 (step S1). The master data D may be registered in advance separately from the specimen testing. The master data D includes, for example, a name master D1, a specimen master D2, a bacterial culture medium master D3, a test specification set master D4, and a test data master D5.

The name master D1 includes, for example, data on the production factory, line, and lot. The specimen master D2 includes data on the specimen name (for example, the name of a food product such as "frozen fried chicken"), specimen identification code, specimen-major category, specimen-minor category, and remarks. For example, the bacterial species culture medium master D3 includes data on the bacterial species (for example, the type of substance to be tested such as "general live bacteria") and culture medium (type of culture medium). The test specification set master D4 includes, for example, data on the test specification set (for example, the test content such as "routine test"), bacterial species, culture medium, dilution ratio, and number of plates (the number of plates described below). The test data master D5 includes, for example, data on the specimen name and test specification set. However, the contents of the data held by the master data are not limited to the above and can be changed as appropriate. In step S1, data is registered in the master data D described above.

In step S2, the test items are extracted, and after the test items are extracted, an identification code display screen M2 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed (step S3). The identification code display screen M2 includes, for example, an identification code C associated with the plate described below, and the identification code C includes identification information for identifying the plate. In this embodiment, the identification code C is a barcode. However, the identification code C is not limited to a barcode, and may be another identification code such as a QR code (registered trademark).

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the identification code C. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the identification code C includes, for example, the medium C1, dilution ratio C2, number C3 (number of plates used in the test), individual IDC4, date C5, standard value C6, and recommended measurement range C7, which are the identification information of the plate. In this specification, the "standard value" is a reference value for determining whether the number of bacteria in the obtained sample is acceptable or not, and for example, if the number of bacteria is equal to or greater than the standard value, it is determined to be unacceptable, and if the number of bacteria is less than the standard value, it is determined to be acceptable. The "recommended measurement range" is, for example, a range of values for determining whether the number of bacteria detected by the plate is acceptable or not. Note that the identification code C does not necessarily include all of the medium C1, dilution ratio C2, number C3, individual IDC4, date C5, standard value C6, and recommended measurement range C7, and may further include other information. Furthermore, the content included in the identification code C and the method of expressing the identification code C can be changed as appropriate. For example, the numbers written in the identification code C may be letters such as the alphabet, or the number of digits in the identification code C may be reduced by changing the numbers in the identification code C to letters such as the alphabet.

Each identification code C shown in FIG. 3 is printed out, for example, as a sticker on a specified print medium P. That is, when the print medium P is set in a printing machine such as a printer and the identification code display screen M2 is printed out, the print medium P is printed out with the identification code C printed on the sticker portion of the print medium P. The identification code C is peeled off from the printed print medium P, and the peeled identification code C is affixed to a plate.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an exemplary plate R to which an identification code C is attached. In this embodiment, the plate R is used to detect the number of bacteria in a specimen. Conventionally, testing has been performed using an agar medium. However, when testing is performed using the plate R as in this embodiment, rather than an agar medium, the testing time can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, because the plate R is in the form of a film, the space required for culture can be significantly reduced, bacteria (colonies) can be easily observed, and disposal can be easily performed.

In this specification, a "plate" is a sheet-like member having a culture medium for the specimen bacteria, and is a tool that can test the number of bacteria in the specimen by placing a specimen diluted in the culture medium on it. For example, the plate R includes a lower film R1 on which the specimen is placed, and an upper film R2 that covers the lower film R1. As an example, the lower film R1 includes a foam dam, culture medium components, adhesive, and plastic-coated paper, and the upper film R2 includes a cold water-soluble gel, an adhesive containing an indicator, and a plastic film. For example, the specimen (test liquid) is placed in the center of the lower film R1, and the upper film R2 covers the specimen and the lower film R1. Then, a spreader (not shown) is placed on the upper film R2 to spread the specimen, and the specimen gels after a certain time (for example, one minute) has passed.

After culturing for a predetermined time, the bacteria in the specimen develop color, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, for example. After attaching an identification code C to the plate R on which the bacteria have developed color in this way, the plate R with the identification code C attached is inserted into a reader E. The reader E is a device that reads the number of bacteria by counting the number of bacteria that develop color on the plate R. Conventionally, the number of bacteria on the plate R was counted manually, which was inefficient. However, the reader E makes it possible to count the number of bacteria in a short time (for example, about 4 seconds) by inserting the plate R. As an example, the reader E can automatically count the number of bacteria on the plate R and output the counted number of bacteria in file format.

As shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, when the plate R is inserted into the reader E, for example, the reader E reads the plate R, and software installed in the terminal T1 that is capable of communicating with the reader E calculates the number of bacteria (step S4). As a specific example, a bacteria count data screen M3 and a bacteria count data file M4 are output to the terminal T1. The bacteria count data screen M3 includes, for example, a plate screen M31, a sample ID M32, a plate type M33, a dilution ratio M34, a colony count M35, and a calculated bacteria count M36. For example, the bacteria count data file M4 is automatically output when it is selected in the pre-settings to output the bacteria count data file M4. The bacteria count data file M4 includes an engineer M41, a sample ID M42, an image generation date and time M43, a plate type M44, a dilution ratio M45, an identification code text M46, a colony count M47, and a calculated bacteria count M48.

The plate screen M31 displays, for example, a mark M38 that highlights the position of the colony along with the plate R. In the example of FIG. 8, a rectangular mark M38 is displayed surrounding a circularly displayed colony. For example, the sample IDs M32, M42 and the identification code text M46 both include identification information that identifies the plate R, and the identification code text M46 may indicate text data of the identification code C affixed to the plate R. The plate types M33, M44 indicate the medium, i.e., the identification information of the plate. The colony counts M35, M47 indicate the number of colonies displayed on the plate screen M31, and the bacterial counts M36, M48 are numerical values indicating the product of the number of colonies displayed on the plate screen M31 and the dilution ratio.

In this embodiment, as an example, the bacteria count data file M4 is uploaded to the master data D. That is, the bacteria count data file M4 is stored in the storage unit 11. At this time, for example, the tampering determination unit 18 may determine whether the bacteria count data file M4 has been tampered with. Note that the tampering determination unit 18 may be omitted. As an example, if the tampering determination unit 18 determines that the bacteria count data file M4 has not been tampered with, the bacteria count detected by the plate R is input to the input unit 14 described above by uploading the bacteria count data file M4 to the master data D. However, if the tampering determination unit 18 determines that the bacteria count data file M4 has been tampered with, the bacteria count may not be input to the input unit 14, and an alert may be output, for example, to the effect that the bacteria count data file M4 has been tampered with.

Figure 10 shows an exemplary test result registration screen M5 for uploading the bacteria count data file M4 to the master data D. The test result registration screen M5 is displayed on the terminal T1, for example. By registering the bacteria count data file M4 on the test result registration screen M5, for example, the data contained in the bacteria count data file M4 is registered collectively in the master data D. The test result registration screen M5 includes, as an example, a browse button M51, a directory display section M52, and an import button M53. The data of the bacteria count data file M4 is uploaded, for example, by pressing the browse button M51 to select the bacteria count data file M4, and then pressing the import button M53. The path (directory) of the bacteria count data file M4 selected by the browse button M51 is displayed in the directory display section M52.

The test result data registered by the test result registration screen M5 is displayed on a test result confirmation screen M6 exemplified in FIG. 11. The test result confirmation screen M6 is displayed, for example, on the terminal T1. The test result confirmation screen M6 includes, for example, a test result display section M61, a test date input section M62, a test-major category selection section M63, a production date input section M64, a production factory selection section M65, a judgment result selection section M66, and a search button M67. In the judgment result selection section M66, for example, any of undetermined, passed, failed, and undetermined can be selected. As an example, by default, all of undetermined, passed, failed, and undetermined are selected in the judgment result selection section M66.

For example, when the search button M67 is pressed with the examination date input section M62 and the judgment result selection section M66 filled in, the examination results for the examination date entered in the examination date input section M62 are displayed in the examination result display section M61. Note that if conditions are selected in any of the examination-major category selection section M63, production date input section M64, production factory selection section M65, and judgment result selection section M66, only the examination results that satisfy the selected conditions are displayed in the examination result display section M61.

The test result display section M61 displays, for example, the test date, that day ID, sample name, selection button, bacterial culture information, bacterial count, standard value, and judgment result. The test date in the test result display section M61 matches the test date entered in the test date input section M62. The that day ID in the test result display section M61 is, for example, an ID that matches the individual ID DC4 of the identification code C, and means, for example, an ID assigned on the test date. When the selection button in the test result display section M61 is pressed, for example, a detailed screen of the test results is displayed. The bacterial culture information in the test result display section M61 includes, for example, the data on the bacterial species and culture medium stored in the aforementioned bacterial culture medium master D3.

The number of bacteria displayed in the test result display section M61 is, for example, the final number of bacteria obtained for each type of bacteria calculated according to a predetermined rule from the number of bacteria M48 in the bacteria count data file M4, which is the number of bacteria obtained at each dilution stage. The test result display section M61 also displays whether the number of bacteria is pass or fail. The pass/fail judgment section 15 described above judges whether the number of bacteria in the test result display section M61 is pass or fail (step S5). The pass/fail judgment section 15 compares the number of bacteria input to the input section 14 with the standard value output to the identification code C to judge whether the number of bacteria is pass or fail. For example, the pass/fail judgment section 15 judges the number of bacteria input to the input section 14 as failing if it is equal to or greater than the standard value, and judges the number of bacteria input to the input section 14 as passing if it is not equal to or greater than the standard value.

Figure 12 shows an example of the inspection report creation screen M7. As an example, the inspection report creation screen M7 includes an inspection date input section M71 and a report output button M72. When the report output button M72 is pressed with the inspection date entered in the inspection date input section M71, a report is created as an electronic file (step S6). The inspection report creation screen M7 and the report are displayed, for example, on terminal T1. As an example, the report displays the inspection date, factory name, bacterial species, standard values, bacterial count, and judgment result (pass or fail). However, the display content and display format of the report can be changed as appropriate.

Figure 13 shows an example of a data analysis output screen M8, and Figures 14(a) and 14(b) show exemplary data analysis output results B. The data analysis output screen M8 includes, for example, an examination period input section M81 and an analysis file output button M82. When the analysis file output button M82 is pressed with a period specified in the examination period input section M81, the data analysis output result B is created as an electronic file (step S7). The data analysis output screen M8 and the data analysis output result B are displayed, for example, on terminal T1.

An example of data analysis output result B shown in FIG. 14(a) is data showing the relationship between the date and the number of bacteria for each type of bacteria in one factory. Also, an example of data analysis output result B shown in FIG. 14(b) is data showing the relationship between the date and the number of bacteria of a specific type of bacteria for each factory. From FIG. 14(a), time series data on the number of bacteria for each type of bacteria in a certain factory can be obtained, so it is possible to identify, for example, whether there is a type of bacteria that shows an abnormal value that exceeds a standard value by comparing it with past data. Even if the standard value is not exceeded, it is possible to understand whether the number of bacteria is on the rise, and it is possible to obtain information for determining whether to take preventive measures to prevent the number of bacteria from reaching the standard value. Also, from FIG. 14(b), time series data on the number of bacteria of a specified type of bacteria can be obtained for each factory, so it is possible to understand the occurrence trend of the specified bacteria for each factory.

The format of the data output by the data analysis output screen M8 is not limited to the line graphs shown in Figs. 14(a) and 14(b), but can be in various formats such as bar graphs, stacked graphs, or table formats. The type of data is also not limited to those shown in Figs. 14(a) and 14(b), and any data stored in the memory unit 11 can be output as appropriate.

Next, an example of a hygiene management method executed by the program according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 15. FIG. 15 shows an example of each step of the hygiene management method according to this embodiment. First, various information is registered in master data D (step X1). Note that registration of various information in master data D does not have to be performed on the day of the examination, and may be performed in advance by the day before the examination.

On the day of the examination, the examination items are extracted and the identification code C is output (step X2). Specifically, the examination contents registration screen is displayed on the terminal T1 and the examination items for that day are registered. For example, the identification code is selected in the format selection section displayed on the examination contents registration screen, and the file creation button is pressed, whereby the identification code display screen M2 is displayed and the identification code C is printed out.

Then, the printed identification code C is affixed to plate R (step X3), and the specimen is placed on plate R and cultured (step X4). After culture, plate R is inserted into reader E, and software installed on terminal T1 that is capable of communicating with reader E, for example, calculates the number of bacteria (number of colonies) (step X5). Then, a bacteria count data file M4 including the bacteria count is generated, and bacteria count data file M4 is uploaded to master data D (storage unit 11) (steps X6 and X7).

After uploading the bacteria count data file M4, the tampering determination unit 18 determines whether the data in the bacteria count data file M4 and the data in the identification code C are the same, i.e., whether the bacteria count data file M4 has not been tampered with (step X8). However, this step X8 (determination by the tampering determination unit 18) may be omitted. If the tampering determination unit 18 determines in step X8 that they are not the same (tampering has occurred), for example, an alert may be output to the effect that tampering has occurred (step X9), and the series of steps may end. On the other hand, if the tampering determination unit 18 determines that they are the same (no tampering), the number of bacteria detected by the plate R, i.e., the number of bacteria in the bacteria count data file M4, may be input to the input unit 14 described above (step X10).

When the number of bacteria detected by plate R is input to input unit 14, pass/fail judgment unit 15 judges whether the number of bacteria is pass/fail (step X11). The result of the pass/fail judgment is displayed, for example, as test result confirmation screen M6 on terminal T1. Then, a report is created and the data is analyzed (step X12). In creating the report, for example, the test report creation screen M7 is operated to create the report, and in analyzing the data, the data analysis output screen M8 is operated to create data analysis output result B. After going through the above steps, the series of test steps is completed.

The hygiene management system 1 according to this embodiment has an approval function that approves the tests performed as described above and the shipment of samples. The approval function of the hygiene management system 1 will be described below with reference to Figs. 16 and 17. The approval function is executed, for example, by the approval request unit 16 of the hygiene management system 1, and the validity of the tests performed is examined by the examiner's superior, etc., and the approval function is executed through this process.

The approval function according to this embodiment includes primary approval, shipping approval, and final approval. Primary approval is approval given for each bacterial species and for each day. Shipping approval is approval given after all tests on the specimens have been completed and primary approval has been given for all the specimens, and specimens (products) for which shipping approval has been given can be shipped. Final approval is approval that, for example, an independent test is performed after shipping approval has been given and that the independent test has been completed. Note that final approval may be omitted in some cases. Below, examples of each process of the approval function according to this embodiment, including primary approval, shipping approval, and final approval, are described.

First, after the bacterial testing is completed, primary approval is performed (steps Y1 and Y2). As an example, a tabular primary approval screen with check boxes for each record including at least the bacterial species, bacterial count, standard values, and judgment results is displayed on the approver's terminal T2, and the approver checks the check boxes on the primary approval screen to perform primary approval. Next, if all the testing of the sample is completed (YES in step Y3), the process proceeds to step Y4, and if all the testing of the sample is not completed (NO in step Y3), the process returns to step Y1. Note that the test results for shipping the sample are not necessarily available on the same day (for example, 24 hours or 48 hours later, depending on the bacterial species), so the approver may be able to confirm the type of bacterial species required for shipping approval.

In step Y4, shipping approval is executed. At this time, for example, a shipping approval screen in tabular form with check boxes for each record including at least the sample name, bacterial species, bacterial count, standard values, and judgment results is displayed on terminal T2, and the check boxes on the shipping approval screen are checked by the approver to execute shipping approval. The product for which shipping approval has been granted is shipped (step Y5), and then final approval is executed (step Y6). In final approval, for example, as described above, a final approval screen in tabular form with check boxes for each record including at least the sample name, bacterial species, bacterial count, standard values, and judgment results is displayed on terminal T2, and final approval is executed by checking the check boxes on the final approval screen. After going through the above steps, a series of approval flows is completed.

As described above, by performing primary approval for each bacterial species before shipping approval, the precision of quality control for each bacterial species can be improved. Furthermore, by obtaining shipping approval after all samples have undergone primary approval, approval for testing of samples prior to shipping is obtained, further improving the precision of the quality of samples to be shipped. Furthermore, by performing final approval, additional approval can be obtained for samples that have been approved for shipping.

Figure 17 is a flowchart showing another example of each step of the approval function executed by the approval request unit 16. The steps shown in Figure 17 are performed, for example, for each of the primary approval, shipping approval, and final approval. First, it is determined whether approval has been given by the approver (step Z1), and if it is determined that approval has been given, the process proceeds to step Z5. On the other hand, if it is determined in step Z1 that approval has not been given, the approver is prompted to give approval by email (step Z2).

After a certain period of time (e.g., several days), it is determined whether the approver has approved the request (step Z3), and if it is determined that approval has been granted, the process proceeds to step Z5. If it is determined in step Z3 that approval has not been granted, the approver is urged to approve the request by telephone, and the approver's superior is notified that approval has not been granted (step Z4). The superior may be contacted by email or telephone. Furthermore, the urging for approval may continue by email or telephone until approval is granted, in which case it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the approver will forget to approve the request.

In addition, in step Z5, it is determined whether the test result is a pass for each bacterium, and if it is a pass, the series of processes is terminated. On the other hand, if the test result is not a pass in step Z5, the approver is prompted to check the details (after step Z6) and then the series of processes is terminated. One method for prompting the approver to check the details is, for example, to allow input into the check boxes only after pressing a details confirmation button displayed on terminal T2 and carefully examining the details screen of the test results.

As shown above in steps Z1 to Z4, if approval has not been given, the approver is first contacted by email, and if approval has not been given after a certain period of time has passed, the approver is contacted by phone or the approver's superior is contacted, thereby enabling the approval flow and shipment to be carried out promptly. This contributes to reducing inventory at the factory and reducing management costs. In addition, as shown in steps Z5 and Z6, if the inspection results are not acceptable, having the approver check the details can be ensured to have the approver carefully examine any defects in the inspection results, which is expected to further improve the accuracy of quality control.

Next, the effects of the hygiene management system 1, program, and identification code C according to this embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, in the hygiene management system 1 and program, the identification code output unit 13 outputs an identification code C including identification information (e.g., medium C1 or individual IDC4) that identifies the plate R for detecting the number of bacteria, and a standard value C6 that indicates the number of bacteria that serves as a criterion for judging whether the number of bacteria is acceptable or not. The plate R detects the number of bacteria in the sample, and the output identification code C is associated with the plate R (e.g., affixed to the plate). The number of bacteria is then input to the input unit 14 from the plate R associated with the identification code C, and the pass/fail judgment unit 15 compares the number of bacteria input to the input unit 14 with the standard value C6 output to the identification code C to judge whether the number of bacteria is acceptable or not.

The standard value used to determine the bacterial count is output as the identification code C by the identification code output unit 13, and the pass/fail determination unit 15 determines whether the bacterial count is pass/fail based on the standard value of the output identification code C. This makes it possible to avoid using the value stored in the database as the standard value that serves as the criterion for determining whether the bacterial count is pass/fail, thereby avoiding tampering with the standard value. As a result, tampering with the standard value that is the basis for the determination can be suppressed, and a situation in which a sample that should not have passed is determined to have passed can be avoided, thereby improving the accuracy of quality control.

In the hygiene management system 1 according to this embodiment, the identification code output unit 13 outputs a recommended measurement range C7 for the pass/fail judgment unit 15 to decide whether to accept or reject the number of bacteria detected by plate R, together with the standard value C6 and the identification information. Thus, the recommended measurement range C7 is output as an identification code C, together with the standard value C6 on which the pass/fail judgment of the number of bacteria is based, and the identification information of plate R. The recommended measurement range C7 is a range of values for deciding whether to accept or reject the number of bacteria detected by plate R. By outputting this recommended measurement range C7 at the same time, the plate R to be used for acceptance or rejection can be selected from the output recommended measurement range C7, thereby further improving the accuracy of quality control.

In the hygiene management system 1 according to this embodiment, the identification code output unit 13 outputs the dilution ratio C2 of the specimen to be tested for bacterial count, together with the standard value C6 and the identification information. Therefore, since the dilution ratio C2 is output to the identification code C together with the standard value C6, which is the standard for determining pass/fail, and the identification information of the plate R, tampering with the dilution ratio C2 can be avoided. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a specimen that should not be passed is passed by tampering with the dilution ratio C2, and the accuracy of quality control can be further improved.

The hygiene management system 1 according to this embodiment includes an approval request unit 16 that requests approval to ship a specimen whose bacterial count has been tested and whose bacterial count has been determined to be pass or fail. The approval request unit 16 requests a first approval for each tested bacterium, and a confirmation of shipment of the specimen after the first approval. Therefore, the approval request unit 16 performs a first approval for each bacterium to be tested in the specimen, and a shipping approval that is required when the specimen is shipped after the first approval for each bacterium. Therefore, approval can be obtained for each bacterium in the specimen, and then approval for shipment can be obtained, so that the accuracy of specimen quality control can be further improved. That is, by going through an approval flow including a first approval and a shipping approval, it is possible to more reliably prevent shipment of specimens with problems in bacterial count, etc. Note that after the first approval, editing of the bacterial count on the test result confirmation screen M6 (see FIG. 11) may be disabled, in which case data tampering can be more effectively prevented. As a specific example, editing of the bacterial count may be disabled after output of the data file obtained via the reader E, uploading of the data file, and completion of the first approval.

In the hygiene management system 1 according to this embodiment, the pass/fail determination unit 15 determines whether the number of bacteria is pass/fail for each of the multiple types (species) of bacteria tested. Therefore, by having the pass/fail determination unit 15 determine whether each of the multiple bacteria is pass/fail, the accuracy of quality control of the sample can be further improved.

The hygiene management system 1 according to this embodiment includes a test content output unit 17 that outputs a list (e.g., a fill-in sheet) of samples to be tested for bacterial count. Therefore, the test content output unit 17 can output a list of samples to be tested in advance, allowing efficient testing of samples.

The hygiene management system 1 according to this embodiment also displays an inspection result confirmation screen M6 including the number of bacteria detected and whether the number of bacteria passed or failed, as shown in FIG. 11. This eliminates the need to calculate the number of bacteria in one's head or to copy the number of bacteria read from the screen onto paper, etc., and contributes to reducing human error in determining the number of bacteria. Furthermore, the hygiene management system 1 outputs a report including the number of bacteria tested and the standard value as an electronic file from the inspection report creation screen M7 illustrated in FIG. 12. This reduces the effort required to create a report, allowing quality control work to be carried out efficiently.

The hygiene management system 1 according to this embodiment also outputs the data analysis output result B, which includes the tested number of bacteria, as an electronic file. Therefore, the data such as the number of bacteria stored in the memory unit 11 can be immediately output as the data analysis output result B, which enables efficient data analysis and further improves the accuracy of quality control by performing the data analysis.

The above describes embodiments of the hygiene management system, program, and identification code according to the present invention. However, the hygiene management system, program, and identification code according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be modified or applied to other things without changing the gist of the claims. In other words, the configuration and function of each part of the hygiene management system and the identification code, as well as the content and order of each step of the program, may be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the above.

For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the plate R for detecting the number of bacteria, the standard value C6 indicating the number of bacteria that is the criterion for judging whether the number of bacteria is pass or fail, the input unit 14 into which the number of bacteria is input, and the pass/fail judgment unit 15 for judging whether the number of bacteria is pass or fail are exemplified. However, instead of at least one of the plate R, the standard value C6, the input unit 14, and the pass/fail judgment unit 15, a plate for detecting test subjects other than bacteria (e.g., allergens), a standard value indicating the number of test subjects other than bacteria, an input unit into which the number of test subjects other than bacteria is input, and a pass/fail judgment unit for judging whether the test subjects other than bacteria are pass or fail may be provided.

In the above embodiment, a hygiene management system 1 that is a food hygiene management system that manages food has been described. However, the objects managed by the hygiene management system are not limited to food and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the hygiene management system according to the present invention may be an environmental hygiene management system that manages the environment.

1... Hygiene management system, 13... Identification code output section, 14... Input section, 15... Pass/fail judgment section, 16... Approval request section, 17... Test content output section, C... Identification code, C2, M34, M45... Dilution ratio, C6... Standard value, C7... Recommended measurement range, M36, M48... Bacteria count (number of substances to be tested), R... Plate.

Claims (5)

A hygiene management system that acquires the number of test target substances and judges whether the number of the test target substances passes or fails,
an identification code output unit that outputs an identification code including identification information for identifying the plate for detecting the number of the test target substances and a standard value indicating the number of the test target substances that serves as a criterion for judging whether the test target substances are passed or failed;
an input unit for inputting the number of the test target substances detected by the plate associated with the identification code;
an acceptance/rejection determination unit that compares the number of the test target substances inputted to the input unit with the standard value outputted to the identification code to determine whether the number of the test target substances is acceptance or rejection;
Equipped with
the identification code is printed out as a sticker on a predetermined printing medium, the identification code is peeled off from the printed medium, and the peeled identification code is affixed to the plate ;
the identification code output unit outputs, together with the standard value and the identification information, a recommended measurement range for determining whether or not the number of the test target substances detected by the plate is to be accepted by the pass/fail determination unit.
Sanitation management system. The identification code output unit outputs a dilution ratio of a sample in which the number of the test target substances is tested, together with the standard value and the identification information.
The hygiene management system according to claim 1 . an approval request unit for requesting approval to ship a sample after the number of test target substances has been inspected and the pass/fail status of the number of test target substances has been determined;
The approval request unit requests a primary approval for each of the test target substances of the tested specimen, and a shipping approval for the specimen after the primary approval is given.
The hygiene management system according to claim 1 or 2 . the pass/fail determination unit determines pass/fail of the number of test target substances for each of the plurality of types of test target substances tested;
The hygiene management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . A test content output unit that outputs a list of samples to be tested for the number of test target substances and test contents,
The hygiene management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .

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