This article is only relevant for CAPAs in which Actions have been defined. In a simple workflow CAPA, no Actions have been created, therefore it is not relevant to address how Actions are closed and what happens when they are.
Before a CAPA can proceed from Implementing status to Under Signing by QA all Actions must be marked as closed.
How the Action is closed depends on the type of Action as well on system settings.
Update Document Actions will close automatically once the Documents included in the Action have all completed a full approval Cycle (from Draft to Published).
Custom Actions require that the Responsible User marks the Action as completed.
Depending on system settings it may be required that QA signs off on all Actions before these are marked as closed. This will only be the case for Custom Actions, it is not applicable to Update Documents Actions, in this case, the system verifies that the Documents have gone through the entire approval cycle.
Closing Actions
Closing Custom Actions by Responsible User
The Responsible User of the Custom Action must mark the Action as closed. This can be done:
- From the Users Dashboard.
- From the Actions Tab in the CAPA Details Page.
Closing Custom Actions from the Users Dashboard
- In the Dashboard, click on the CAPA Actions icon.
- In the CAPA Actions Table, click on the checkmark icon.
In the Update Action window:
- Introduce electronic signature credentials: User and Password.
- Describe the Actions Performed.
- If relevant, upload files.
- Sign.
If it is not required for QA to sign off on all Actions then you will get the message: Action closed successfully and the Custom Action will no longer be visible on the Responsible Users Dashboard. If there is more than one Responsible User the Custom Action will disappear from the Dashboards once all Responsible Users mark the Task as completed.
If it is required for QA to sign off on all Actions then you will get the message: Action status set to pending approval successfully and the Custom Action will appear as Pending Approval on the Responsible Users Dashboard. If there is more than one Responsible User the Custom Action will not be set to Pending Approval until all Responsible Users mark the Task as completed.
Closing Custom Actions from the Actions Tab in the CAPA Details Page
- Go to the Actions Tab of the CAPA Details Page.
- Close the Action by clicking on the checkmark icon in the Actions Column.
In the Update Action window:
- Introduce electronic signature credentials: User and Password.
- Describe the Actions Performed.
- If relevant, upload files.
- Sign.
If it is not required for QA to sign off on all Actions then you will get the message: Action closed successfully. In the Action Tab of the CAPA Details Page, the Action will appear as Closed in the Status Column. If there is more than one Responsible User the Custom Action will not be set to Closed until all Responsible Users mark the Task as completed.
If system settings require that QA sign off on all Actions, you will get the message: Action status set to pending approval successfully. In the Action Tab of the CAPA Details Page the Action will then appear as Pending Approval in the Status column. If there is more than one Responsible User the Custom Action will not be set to Closed until all Responsible Users mark the Task as completed.
QA Action Approval
QA can approve Custom Actions:
- From the Dashboard.
- From the Actions Tab in the CAPA Details Page.
Approving Custom Actions from QAs Dashboard
- In the Dashboard, click on the CAPA Actions icon.
- In the CAPA Actions Table, check for the Custom Actions that are Pending Approval.
- Accept or Deny the Action.
If QA Denies the Action the Update Action window will include a Reason field, QA must:
- Introduce electronic signature credentials: User and Password.
- Give a Reason for rejecting the Action.
- Sign.
The Custom Task will reopen and the Responsible User will then have to repeat the Action taking into consideration the reasons given by QA. Once the Action has been completed the Responsible User will then have to set the Action as closed once again.
If QA Accepts the Action then the Update Action window will appear without a reason field, QA must:
- Introduce electronic signature credentials: User and Password.
- Sign.
QA will then get the message: Action closed successfully. Thereafter the Action will disappear from QA's Dashboard.
If there is more than one QA Person in the CAPA, it is not necessary that they all sign off. As soon as one QA person Approves the Custom Action, it will be Closed and disappear from the Dashboard of all QAs assigned to this CAPA.
Approving Custom Actions from the Actions Tab in the CAPA Details Page:
- Go to the CAPA Actions Tab.
- Check which Actions are Pending Approval in the Status column.
- Accept or Deny the Action.
If QA Denies the Action the Update Action window will include a Reason field, QA must:
- Introduce electronic signature credentials: User and Password.
- Give a Reason for rejecting the Action.
- Sign.
The Custom Task will reopen and the Responsible User will then have to repeat the Action taking into consideration the reasons given by QA. Once the Action has been completed the Responsible User will then have to set the Action as closed once again.
If QA Accepts the Action then the Update Action window will appear without a reason field, QA must:
- Introduce electronic signature credentials: User and Password.
- Sign.
QA will then get the message: Action closed successfully. Thereafter the Custom Action will appear as Closed in the Actions Tab.
If there is more than one QA Person in the CAPA, it is not necessary that they all sign off. As soon as one QA person Approves the Custom Action, it will be Closed and disappear from the Dashboard of all QAs assigned to this CAPA.
Once all Actions are closed in a CAPA, the Responsible Person will be able to set the CAPA to Under Signing by QA.
Update Documents Actions
In this case, the Actions will be completed as soon as the Documents included in the Action have gone through a full approval cycle. The Action will be marked automatically as closed by the system once this happens.
It is not necessary for QA to sign off on this Action even if the Action Sign off for QA switch is turned ON.