Page 38 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

Setting up and using a laboratory service 7

• What is the expected duration of the field Location and design
visits?
• How far will the vehicle need to travel each Laboratory buildings should be located on a
day? carefully selected site that has a well-defined
• What are the road conditions likely to be? compound and, preferably, land available around
the perimeter to allow for future development.
Typical laboratory equipment for field visits Owing to the potential biohazard risks the build-
might include the following: ings should not be located near commercial
animal rearing units or residential housing.
• 18 l, 70 W cooling unit(s) The design of laboratory buildings generally
• small-size fridge/incubator: continuous use, follows a standard plan. An example of a design
12 V submitted for a regional veterinary laboratory is
• LED microscope: 3 W, in use for 2 hours/day, illustrated in Figure 1.2. Plans for district labo-
220 V ratories will depend on the specific needs of the
• microhaematocrit centrifuge: 600 W, in use area and the budget available. In many cases dis-
for 30 min/day, 220 V. trict laboratories are attached to district livestock
extension or veterinary centres. This facilitates
For the above laboratory equipment, electricity sharing of resources and can enhance commu-
could be supplied by a power inverter of around nication between different cadres of the animal
1 kW capacity, which is typically run from a health service. The details of the design for dis-
rechargeable 12 V lead acid battery or automo- trict and regional laboratories tend to depend
tive electrical outlet. on local building regulations. Reliable plumbing
A secondary benefit of using the mobile and power connections are especially important.
laboratory is that it raises the public profile of The style of the out-buildings and the interior
the laboratory facility, which encourages farmer fixtures will vary depending on the budget and
participation in animal health initiatives. the building materials available locally but pip-
ing and drainage should be of the highest quality.
Short-term cost savings often result in signifi-
1.2 Buildings and maintenance cant maintenance problems in the longer term
so the quality of construction should be suitable
The site for a veterinary laboratory must be cho- and supervised by a site manager familiar with
sen carefully as the location can determine the acceptable laboratory construction standards.
success or failure of the diagnostic service. The For example, the flooring should be smooth and
availability of effective transport and communi- have a continuous join with the walls to facilitate
cation services, and good access are especially disinfection and cleaning. Ventilation and waste
important. In most cases regional laboratories disposal should be well planned. In laboratories
are built near a regional centre and district that deal with zoonotic diseases and high-risk
facilities are located in more rural areas were pathogens there needs to be a designated sec-
the demand for additional services justifies the tion with suitable isolation and bio-containment
investment (Figures 1.1b and 1.1c – illustrate facilities. Ensuring that there is effective waste
3
a small district facility and a larger regional disposal for biological and chemical wastes from
facility). laboratories is essential. This should be efficient
and environmentally safe. In most countries,
there will be local environmental and public

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