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Specimen preparation area
Work areas
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Work areas in laboratories are constructed on the basis of U-shaped modules or linear benches. Modules typically measure 10 x 10 ft. and can accommodate two or three persons. Advantages in the modular approach include minimized foot traffic in work areas, generous counter top and storage space, corner space, an increased sense of privacy for workers, and use of less floor space for aisles and corridors. Advantages in the linear bench approach include ease of cleaning, ease of moving about the laboratory, subjective sense of less cluster, easier location of large pieces of equipment such as incubators and refrigerators.
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The space surrounding work benches should be sufficient to accommodate ample waste containers both for paper and biohazardous waste. The laboratory should contain space for storing completed cultures, stock cultures, reference books and teaching materials. It is most efficient for completed cultures and reference materials to be located closer to the work benches.
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Laboratory case work can be built in (custom) or modular. The type of case work selected for a laboratory is determined by the size of the laboratory. Larger laboratory always prefer commercial modular furniture. It is more economical. Smaller laboratories, built in case work preferred to suit individuals convenient, it is less expensive, strong and durable.
Counter tops
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Countertops at work benches should be 24 inch deep, with the work areas of 4 to 5 ft wide. There should be additional space to each side for a storage and equipment. Counter tops should be made of materials that can be cleaned and disinfected easily, durable, easily repaired and stain resistant. Counter tops adjacent to sinks should be constructed of water resistant materials so that the repeated exposure to water does not damage them. Lighter colours tend to show stains more but have the benefit of making the laboratory brighter.
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Walls, floors, ceiling and furniture
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Walls, ceilings and floors should be smooth, easily cleanable, impermeable to liquids and resistant to chemicals and disinfectants and should not be slippery. Acoustic tile ceiling are permissible for Bio safety level 1 and 2 lab. Sheetrock walls should be painted units epoxy so that they may be easily cleaned in the event of spill. Daily mopping with suitable detergents is mandatory. Flexible furniture systems that can be easily disassembled and moved are preferred. Bench tops should be sealed to the walls. Bench tops should be impervious to water and resistant to acids, alkalis, organic solvents and moderate heat. The tops made up of quarried stone, particle board or wood cores with acid-resistant plastic laminate surfaces and stainless steel are preferred.
Instrumentation
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CML should have ample space for large floor model incubators, refrigerators and centrifuges. Adequate electrical power supply necessary gas and water supplies to be incorporated into the area. As a general rule, a refrigerator and a centrifuge should be located in specimen processing area.
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Instruments commonly found in the microbiology laboratory includes
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Bacterial detection devices
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Bacterial identification and susceptibility testing devices
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Gas liquid chromatography
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Microscopes (light, fluorescent, phase dark field)
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Centrifuges
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Dry heat oven
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Incubators (radiant heat, Co2)
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Water baths
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Heat baths
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Vortex mixer
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Anaerobe chamber
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Refrigerators, freezers, Ultra-low freezers
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Biological safety cabinet
Culture room
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A microbiology laboratory should consist essentially a separate cubicles for bacteriology culture work and virological work because of strict aseptic precautions required for both kinds of works.
Cubicle should contain all the required equipment so that frequent exit and entry can be avoided. Culture rooms must possess an anteroom for preparatory work before entering into a thoroughly sterilized cubicle. Anteroom equipped with isolation booths may be of an average size of 2.5m x 2.0m, with installations consisting of regular and ultraviolet lights, electrical points, gas, a bench for working in a sitting position, and air conditioning and heating, if required. Sterility in anteroom should also be maintained.
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The cabinet for instruments suitable for storage of sterile items must preferably be placed in the anteroom. Only essential items required at the time of culture work must be kept within the culture room. Protrusions, crevices, placement of machines etc, must be avoided to prevent accumulation of dust. Entry of visitors must be strictly prohibited, and cubicles may be fitted with glass partitions at the height of about 3 feet from the floor.
Hand washing , water supply and plumbing
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The CML should have sufficient sinks for staining, waste disposal and hand washing. Hand washing sinks should be designed so that they can be operates with the knee or foot controls. One sink should be located near the laboratory entrance to facilitate hand washing by staff and visitors as they leave the laboratory. Plumbing has to be installed at the time of laboratory construction is completed to handle all types liquid waste generated. The water supply and plumbing needs at different places should be assessed carefully during the design phase of the project and care must be taken to prevent the inadvertent contamination of potable water supplies.
Electrical power supply
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Electrical outlets should be liberal in number and in excess power supply is required. It has to be installed during construction, because upgrading the electrical power supply becomes expensive and difficult once construction is completed. The emergency power supplies should also be assessed, as separate electrical power supply. The critical pieces of equipments should be on emergency power supply. Critical equipments should be wired into a central alarm system so that the appropriate person can be notified on any power failure.
IT and Telecommunication
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The modern clinical laboratory is highly dependent upon IT and telecommunications systems. Telecommunications systems need to support telefax units, sophisticated telephone systems, videoconferencing. In the same way, modern IT systems need to meet, new versions of operating systems, databases, and other applications. The computer workstation with a variety of applications should be provided in offices and laboratories for immediate benefit to the laboratory staff.
Office and administrative support
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Office should be located close to but not within the laboratory. Offices should be sufficient to support the managerial, administrative, research, and teaching functions of the laboratory. Office should be equipped with IT and telecommunications infrastructure, and other features that are necessary to make them efficient. As a thumb rule, individual offices should be no smaller than 100sqft.
Laboratory storage
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Storage space should be adequate but not excessive. Insufficient storage space makes for a cluttered laboratory; unused storage space makes for a dusty one. Short term storage capacity should meet the daily needs. Long term storage of supplies should be in the main laboratory storage room. Storage space should be designed as, it can be cleaned easily
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