Page 41 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

10 Susan C. Cork, Roy Halliwell and Willy Schauwers

Chapter 2). If there is no reliable piped public built in a place remote from normal public ser-
water supply it is advisable to install storage vices it may be difficult to recruit and retain staff.
tanks with as large a capacity as possible. These Lack of good transportation and communication
can be fixed to the roof to facilitate water flow, networks can also make it difficult to encourage
however, a well-fitted pump system is better sample submission.
than utilizing gravity flow alone. The water
pump should be linked up with a power stabi-
lizer or a power trip switch-voltage protection Managing supplies
unit to prevent damage caused by a fluctuating
power supply. The selection, storage and distribution of sup-
In district laboratories that have an intermit- plies is an important aspect of laboratory
tent water and electricity supply, it is essential maintenance and service provision (see Chapter
to have a backup to ensure that water is avail- 2). When purchasing equipment, appropriate
able each day to allow the laboratory to function. technology should be selected depending on
For example, an underground storage tank built practical considerations as well as the needs
outside the laboratory that can be replenished of the unit. Careful thought must be given
either by rainwater (run off from the roof), or in to maintenance costs as well as the longer-
the dry season, with water brought by bowser term requirements of a laboratory unit. This
from a central supply. Water can then be hand is especially true with regard to reagents and
pumped into an overhead tank and supplied by disposables, for example. Kit tests may be pref-
gravity to the lab. If a storage tank is built it is erable to more laborious methods in the short
important to add suitable filters to prevent the term but if the cost of replacement reagents
build-up of silt, which can soon cause a blockage or kits is too high then such tests may not be
in the pipes. sustainable.
Hot water can be supplied from electric- or To ensure a regular flow of general supplies
gas-heated geysers; this is especially important and spare parts for equipment it is important
for the wash room. To reduce the use of hot to set up an efficient store system. If stores
water from boilers, try to install the distillation are not well managed the day-to-day work of
apparatus in the washing room. This way, the the diagnostic unit may be impaired especially
cooling water from the distillation apparatus where deliveries take several days (or weeks) to
(temperature about 60°C) can be used for clean- arrive or where the funds for new purchases are
ing laboratory glassware and other items that unavailable. Careful stock control and good fore-
need washing. casting of the requirements for each laboratory
Distillation and de-ionization of water is section at the beginning of each financial year
outlined in more detail in Chapter 2. are essential.

Stock control
transport and communication
services The functioning and maintenance of a good
store room requires a well-organized stock con-
The availability of reliable local transport and trol and ordering system. The amount of stock
communication services is very important for held in a central or regional store will depend on
the functioning of the laboratory and also for the the availability of funds, and the projected needs
well-being of laboratory staff. If a laboratory is of the laboratory and the associated animal

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