Reasons to consider it: a wireless environmental monitoring system for the clinical laboratory
Clinical laboratories need to measure a range of physical parameters, among them humidity, temperature, pressure, and air flow. Accurate and reliable indoor environmental data are crucial for clinical labs. Laboratory administrators must monitor the lab environment and collect data reliably in order to ensure that samples, materials, and equipment are stored properly and compliance is maintained. This can prove challenging, depending on the type of monitoring system currently in place. Manual monitoring systems work well if properly managed; however, there are more reliable and dependable automated systems available today.
There are numerous ways to monitor and document indoor environments. These include:
- manual data collection
- manual or digital chart recorders
- analog or digital data loggers
- wired, wireless, or hybrid systems.
Each of those solutions has its own positives and negatives, regarding data security, data accuracy, installation and ongoing operating costs, compliance concerns and alarm system notifications. A strong argument can be made, however, that the wired, wireless, or hybrid system represents a superior solution for clinical laboratories, enabling lab administrators to work proactively instead of reactively. There are five reasons for a clinical laboratory to consider a wireless environmental monitoring system.
Installation costs
Installing network cable and corresponding hardware can be expensive and time- consuming, often resulting in equipment and personnel down time. Once the installation is complete, installation testing must take place to identify whether any potential issues exist. If problems are found, they need to be resolved immediately, which can add to down time. Additionally, network cable becomes a permanent part of the facility and cannot be easily moved. As a result, if a future space configuration requires an adjustment; additional cable installation or rerouting may be required, which adds to the overall installation and maintenance costs. When a data collection system can utilize wireless technology and the lab’s existing Local Architecture Network (LAN), a significant cost saving can be realized and will require far less resources than a brand new cable installation.
Operating costs
Operating costs for environmental monitoring data collection can vary widely, depending on the data collection process in place. While some collection plans may initially seem more cost-effective due to low operating costs, they may ultimately cost your lab in time, data integrity, and actionable information. On the surface, a manual data collection process may seem very cost-effective, as it does not require maintenance or electricity.
However, this seemingly inexpensive data collection method can ultimately cost a lab. Data may not be collected consistently, may not be documented properly, or may not be kept for a period of time sufficient to meet certain government or industry requirements. This can cost a facility more than the money saved by using a manual process.
When a laboratory implements a top-tier wireless monitoring system, the initial cost can be recovered in the long-term ROI through consistently collected, accurate data. A cost saving will also be realized because fewer person hours will be required than would be by a manual documentation process.
Data integrity
Data integrity and security are prime concerns. The data collected provides important insights into a lab’s temperature, humidity, and pressure stability. By examining the data of a location over a long period of time, what may have first looked like a temperature anomaly may indicate a larger issue that requires attention to keep samples and equipment properly stored and preserved.
Manual data collection increases the risk for data collection errors, misfiling of information, and data loss due to human error. With a wireless environmental monitoring system in place, ongoing data collection is accomplished automatically on a set schedule according to specifications set by the lab administrator. Most wireless systems utilize battery-powered transmitters that are power grid-independent, to allow for continuous operation, data collection, and transmission. A properly designed and installed wireless environmental monitoring system will operate during a power outage, collect data if signals are blocked, and ensure that secure data transfer takes place.
Data handling and compliance issues
Data handling and compliance are important when monitoring a clinical laboratory environment and it is important to make sure the location is collecting the correct data points, as well as collecting the data in an appropriate method for proper presentation when required by various government agencies and laboratory organizations. Using a wireless indoor environmental monitoring system works toward meeting the requirements, regulations, and standards set forth by those agencies. An indoor environmental monitoring system will not only track and document all necessary temperatures, humidity, and pressures; it will also keep all information in a manageable file structure that can be reviewed and printed as needed.
Top-tier wireless monitoring systems will provide system hardware and software that have been designed to comply with government-required regulations. They should also include a certificate from an independent third party stating that the software-hardware combination has been tested and found to be fully compliant with the required regulations.
Alarm capabilities
When a system fails, it is essential for appropriate personnel to be immediately alerted. When a warning, alarm, or notification is issued, response time can be critical to issue resolution. Temperatures, humidities, and pressures can take some time to reset and stabilize, so accurate and dependable indoor environmental data, coupled with timely alerts, is key. These alarms and alerts help drastically reduce any damages or sample loss due to an improper internal environment.
Top-tier wireless systems can send out alarm notifications based on the lab administrator’s requirements and needs. These requirements are often either at a pre-determined delay time, or immediately upon detection. An alarm delay can be important for “small” issues, such as a door momentarily left open, or if a heater takes a short period of time to come to the proper temperature. A properly configured delay time helps to reduce the occurrence of false alarms and wasted resources.
There are conditions where a notification should be sent immediately; for example, if a probe monitoring a critical area is unexpectedly damaged or loses power. This is the type of alarm that will help preserve sample integrity and efficient laboratory operation. It is important to consider different scenarios and the type of alert each will require prior to implementation and review those conditions on a regular basis. This will ensure all possible scenarios are addressed, including alerting key laboratory staff members, prior to implementation.
Summary
Today, there are a number of ways laboratory administrators are able to collect, evaluate, and document environmental monitoring conditions. Different labs have different priorities, but a compelling case can be made that the wired, wireless, or hybrid system offers a superior solution for laboratory managers. Whether a wireless, hard-wired, or “hybrid” system is in place, the best designed indoor environment monitoring systems will provide the accuracy, dependability, and flexibility needed for high end applications and sensitive indoor environments. Battery-powered transmitters will operate around the clock, even if a power disruption takes place. Advanced data transmission protocols put in place will ensure important data is never lost. Alarms can be customized by the system’s administrator based on an environment’s specific needs. Additionally, those alarms can notify key personnel via multiple methods (email, text message, etc.) to ensure issues, such as exceeded environmental control points, are addressed in a timely manner. Finally, powerful control, reporting and analysis software keep will keep administrators informed on a facility’s status, as well as provide ongoing documentation, so potential issues can be identified and addressed proactively.
John Bickers is Director of Product Management at TESTO, Inc. He was previously National Sales manager for TESTO.
