Page 75 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

chapter 2

The selection, use, maintenance and quality

control of laboratory equipment and supplies

Willy Schauwers

2.1 Criteria for the selection of • In all cases equipment should be accompanied
appropriate equipment by operating manuals in a language understood
by the recipient country. A copy of the manuals
The role of the laboratory and the number and for each piece of equipment should be made
range of tests that have to be performed will dic- available at the point of use and the original
tate the type and amount of equipment required. held in a safe central place for reference.
It is an unfortunate fact that expensive equip- • If technical problems arise the manufac-
ment, to the value of tens of millions of euros, turer’s advice should be sought. Warranty
lies idle in many laboratories in developing options and service agreements will vary
countries. This can occur due to the lack of spare from supplier to supplier, but taking these
parts or skilled personnel, or because the model out should be considered for expensive pieces
supplied was inappropriate for the use required. of equipment. For laboratories, located in
Equipment selection has to be performed more remote places, getting equipment ser-
very carefully. viced can present logistical problems.
Providing performance is adequate, it is • Specifications have to be developed accurately
usually advisable to select simple equipment, according to the needs of the laboratory, to
because of its robustness, rather than electroni- avoid disappointment and unnecessary dis-
cally complicated equipment. All equipment cussions with the supplier. The same goes
should be chosen with due consideration of the for consumables.
current and long-term needs of the laboratory, • A demonstration of the installation and use
as well as the ease of use, cost effectiveness and of a piece of equipment is useful.
availability of appropriate servicing facilities and • Ask the (authorized) supplier for a quotation
spare parts. and details of the power requirements, main-
When selecting equipment, the following tenance schedule, consumables and spare
points are worth considering. parts needed.
• Ensure that all paperwork is supplied with
• It is important to evaluate the proximity of the delivery and keep the packaging in case
suppliers, ordering times, availability of local of relocation or servicing.
technical expertise and the shelf life of spare • If equipment cannot be bought nationally,
parts. buy it from an overseas supplier (remem-

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