Why is Lab Equipment Maintenance Important?

To ensure accurate results and flawless functioning, medical equipment must be durable and precise. For your laboratory equipment to function smoothly, timely maintenance and repair are essential. It doesn’t matter if the device is in a chemistry lab or a medical laboratory — it’s subject to wear and tear. We must maintain proper medical laboratory equipment to ensure the high accuracy of diagnostic test results.

Keep Medical Equipment Up to date with Timely Attention 

Due to an increased focus on patient safety in modern medicine, reputable hospitals and labs must continuously implement measures aimed at preventing adverse events caused by medical errors. Maintaining and repairing laboratory equipment should always be handled by qualified and appropriately trained technicians. All apparatus components must be examined and tested, and if damaged, we must rectify them. We may request repairers to notify the company ahead of time if a specific unit attached to the equipment fails. All these instruments should be inspected regularly, and company records should be sent to the director of the facility or organization.

Many medical devices require maintenance and oiling. The oil and solution utilized should also be kept within the specifications set by the vendor. If you do have the cash for it, you can hire a maintenance team, but if it is too expensive, you can choose reliable and competent third-party companies.

Points to Note When Purchasing Lab Equipment

When acquiring the necessary laboratory equipment, the first thing to consider is the equipment’s efficiency. The dealer should also ensure that the warranties and after-sales services are provided in a timely way. Choose an experienced medical equipment provider with a large inventory of new and recertified devices from well-known manufacturers. Ensure that you are provided with a solid equipment service contract, as well as installation and maintenance solutions for every laboratory apparatus that you purchase. An additional thing to consider is that your dealer has factory-trained personnel with the competence to perform on-site servicing and assure the laboratory equipment’s stable and easy operation.

Several agencies provide economical, customized service contracts, designed to meet your needs on a wide variety of instrumentation.

Whether your laboratory environment is completely new or refurbished, we must regularly review its performance and the devices repaired as soon as possible. Even though current laboratory gadgets are constructed with advanced technology and standards, adequate and prompt post-purchase stability programs are required to maintain their smooth and precise operation. An established laboratory equipment supplier’s excellent upkeep and upgrading services ensure that all gear in your business functions properly.

Lab equipment proper maintenance is an essential aspect of quality control in the workplace. Well-maintained specialized tools imply that information is consistent and dependable, which affects productivity and the quality of the job performed. Additionally, because laboratory equipment often consumes a large portion of the budget, efficient maintenance adds to cost-cutting initiatives by reducing the likelihood of early repurchases and repairs.

Furthermore, frequent maintenance maintains the safety of lab equipment by emphasizing and repairing malfunctioning equipment and equipment parts.

Several methods and practices will guarantee that your laboratory environment is well-maintained and cared for, including the following:

  • Operational procedures for all laboratory equipment are being developed.
  • Creating paperwork for each piece of equipment, detailing the care and upgrades performed.
  • Highlighting a preventative maintenance plan for each piece of equipment.
  • Training both technical and administrative personnel on good laboratory use and upkeep.

Standard Operating Procedure for Maintenance of Lab Equipment

SOPs (standard operating procedures) are required for any complicated laboratory apparatus. We integrate this guarantee of proper equipment usage and upkeep of normal operations. The manufacturer’s user handbook must be consulted for specific instructions on how to operate the device. The lab tech, an apparatus manager, or a member of the staff who often works with the specialized components can create the SOP. At the workstation, the SOP should likewise be immediately accessible.

A proper SOP should contain the following.

  • The term and explanation of the SOP’s content/scope.
  • All acronyms used have definitions.
  • A description of the individuals in charge of the technology or engaged in its operation, noting their credentials and training needs.
  • Appropriate solutions for using the equipment, including the dos and don’ts of using it.
  • We describe quality standards and upkeep in detail.
  • Whenever necessary, waste disposal guidelines.
  • Reference resources, such as SOP preparation guides and manufacturer’s webpages, should be highlighted for use when additional information is necessary.

General Care Tips for Lab Equipment

  • Cleaning

We should regularly clean lab equipment to ensure that it is ready for use when needed, that stubborn stains/substances do not become ingrained, and that it does not contaminate experiments with leftover contaminants.

  • Calibration

An instrument is calibrated by comparing its measurements with a standard unit of measure to ensure accuracy and make requisite adjustments. We should regularly calibrate lab equipment because biases develop over time for the standard unit of measurement. Invalid data can be avoided, and we can make experimentation safe. If calibration certificates are needed, an independent specialist should be engaged.

  • Repairs and Refurbishments

Generally, lab equipment is expensive, and repairs and refurbishments extend their lifetime, reducing the lab’s expenses.

Standard operating procedures should include care and maintenance of laboratory equipment. As a result, the life of the equipment and the reliability of data gathered in the lab will be prolonged.

Looking for the latest in new laboratory equipment? Look no further than Biotechnical Services, Inc. (BTS) to meet all your new and used lab equipment purchase needs!

Leave a Comment