ALCOA is a data integrity framework for checking whether a record is attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original and accurate. Each principle becomes a practical question for a temperature record.
A five-question check
- Attributable: who took the reading or created the report?; legible: will the file and units remain understandable?; contemporaneous: does the record align with the event timeline?; original: is the logger’s raw output preserved?; accurate: can the device ID, clock and values be verified?
Record the difference between download time and the logger’s clock. A screenshot or summary does not replace the raw file; retain both with a clear link between them. On a paper form, keep an incorrect value legible and add the correct value, person, date and reason for the correction.
These checks improve record reliability. Product release or destruction requires a separate review of product information, exposure profile and an authorised assessment.