Many workflows in clinical diagnostic labs require spinning down a sample. That task might require a general-purpose centrifuge or a high-speed one. In some cases, a temperature-controlled ultracentrifuge might be the best choice. For any centrifuging device used in a clinical workflow, the instrument must be kept pristine and operating as intended.
For a clinical-diagnostic lab, a variety of centrifuges might be utilized, and all of them will require regular maintenance. In a previous guide, Centrifuge Maintenance: Protecting the Investment, readers are provided excellent direction for lab’s to maintain these devices. As this guide notes: “Centrifuges, like other precision equipment, utilize high-speed moving parts interacting within very tight tolerances. These properties both make a centrifuge useful and cause some inherent vulnerabilities.” Even accumulated dust can cause damage over time if a centrifuge is not maintained properly.
The heavy workload of a clinical centrifuge could overshadow the need for maintenance. Research institutions such as the University of Washington’s department of laboratory medicine’s specimen collection guide describes the use of centrifugation in many processes, including plasma and serum collection, as well as extracting genetic samples, such as DNA. With frequent application, it is easy to forget to adhere to the maintenance protocols of centrifuges. This temptation should be resisted with strict centrifuge maintenance being implemented according to the manufacturer’s guidance.
During the COVID pandemic, required procedures can make centrifuging more time-consuming than usual, which can add increasing pressure to avoid maintenance schedules. For example, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Interim Guidelines for Biosafety and COVID-19 states: “For procedures with a high likelihood to generate aerosols or droplets, use either a certified Class II Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) or additional precautions to provide a barrier between the specimen and personnel. Examples of these additional precautions include personal protective equipment (PPE), such as a surgical mask or face shield, or other physical barriers, like a splash shield; centrifuge safety cups; and sealed centrifuge rotors to reduce the risk of exposure to laboratory personnel.”
Additionally, scientists must analyze the effect of different centrifuging parameters in a clinical test, because how a sample gets spun down could influence clinical results. As an example, a team of scientists in Denmark tested the rate of centrifuging on a method called activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). They speculated if the centrifuging conditions could create platelet-poor plasms (PPP) that could impact the APTT diagnostic. By ensuring a proper maintenance schedule, centrifuge parameters can be verified and valuable time can be saved during experimentation.
When a clinical lab needs to service its centrifuges, it pays to find a professional. The life of the device could depend on it. Even more important, the lives of patients depend on centrifuges that work correctly and generate proper clinical diagnostic outcomes.