Designing a Diagnostic Laboratory during COVID-19

25 Jun

Designing a Diagnostic Laboratory during COVID-19

Although life in many places worldwide is getting back to new normality, the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet (as of June 2020).

Despite encouraging vaccine trial results, new industry-academia-charity collaborations (unprecedented like the disease it is tackling) and positive results of drug re-purposing to combat the disease, it seems there is a long way to go.

Throughout the pandemic one of the most used terms by the media and the UK government’s daily updates is ‘testing’. Testing is critical for tracking the numbers, for patient treatment plans and for controlling the spread.

Diagnostic laboratories are the – dare I say – ‘temples’ where these tests are received and tested – in a safe, secure and consistent manner.

Whilst there are ever-evolving tests (antigen/swab & antibody/serological) that may involve varying levels of sample and reagent handling, as well as individual lab processes, these share some common principles.

We design research and development laboratories regularly where terms like containment, BSL2 or BSL3 (biosafety levels 2 & 3), BSCs (Biological Safety Cabinets) are routinely used, however the pandemic brought these terms to the public. After writing about coronavirus handling and the different biosafety levels and classification of BSCs, we would like to provide some basic requirements of a diagnostic lab (Note).

Key elements of most lab planning and design include a detailed assessment of the work-flow, processes, and movement of goods (chemicals, consumables, gases, waste) and people through the facility. Focus needs to be on adjacencies required between different activities while marrying safety, accessibility, and services location within the existing infrastructure. Safety and security are essential considerations.

In the case of diagnostic labs, biosafety and biosecurity become the most important due to the handling of pathogenic samples and their disposal. It becomes crucial to investigate the individual journeys of samples, reagents, scientists or clinicians, and patients (if based in hospital). For example:

Under normal conditions, careful consideration, assessment, and stakeholder engagement would be a standard course for a diagnostic lab design process. During the current crisis, speed is the driving factor

  • for processing samples in existing labs,
  • scaling up the testing capacity - as never seen before,
  • adapting existing labs to this tsunami of samples and,
  • for creating new labs within record times.

In all scenarios, lab design needs to adhere and comply to national & local authority regulations. Guidelines for good microbiological practice and procedure, including lab design, is provided by PHE (Public Health England), WHO (World Health Organisation) and CDC (Centre for Disease Control & Prevention, USA).

The ACDP (Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens) has agreed on a provisional classification of SARS-CoV-2 as a Hazard Group 3 (HG3) pathogen, based on the current information1 and other coronavirus family agents, e.g. SARS & MERS. In light of the exceptional circumstances posed by SARS-CoV-2 and the potential impact on the diagnostic sector, a risk-based proportionate approach has been adopted in agreement with ACDP and HSE where certain laboratory activities can be undertaken within an MSC at containment level 2 (CL2)1.

At key levels, in a diagnostic lab, we would expect

  • segregation of lab and public/office areas.
  • lab area divided into three zones: 1) Sample receipt/storage, 2) Sample processing & testing and 3) Sample & reagents disposal.
  • strict access control for trained &/or authorised personnel only.
  • separate route for goods and biomedical waste.
  • suitable ventilation; air changes and HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration.
  • negative pressure environment.
  • PPE (Personal Protection Equipment).
  • tested & certified class II MSCs (microbiological safety cabinets).
  • autoclaves for deactivating biological waste at high temperature & pressure (with Biomedical Waste disposal Policy and regulatory compliance).
  • services for lab equipment, e.g. centrifuges, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) machines, autoclaves, MSCs, fridges, freezers etc.
  • SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures).

Due to potential pathogenicity of the samples and importance of speed to control the pandemic, all the critical equipment will need to be on back-up generators or UPS (uninterrupted power supply).

If you are thinking about converting your current facilities (offices or labs) into diagnostic, biomedical or research labs (BSL2 or BSL3) and need advice on their suitability, we can help.

Note: This is only overview guidance and not exhaustive design criteria as the individual lab would need researching in detail before the design.

References:

1. GOV.UK: COVID-19: safe handling and processing for samples in laboratories
2. HSE: The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. Approved Code of Practice and guidance

Dr Manisha Kulkarni
Head of Science & Technology
Bulb Laboratories

Benching

Laboratory benching forms a central part of any laboratory and procuring the laboratory benching to suit your equipment needs and budget is important to us.

If you prefer fixed, robust benching or modular benching that offers flexibility and reconfiguration, our laboratory furniture manufacturers can deliver the perfect solution.

furniture fittings benching

Worktops

Depending on your research focus your worktop design requirements might change to allow:

  • Chemical resistance
  • Bacterial resistance
  • Water & moisture resistance
  • Durability & scratch resistance
  • Ease of cleaning
  • High impact

Trespa Toplab Base is the industry favourite, but we can offer alternative worktops such as Corian, Stainless Steel, Epoxy Resin, Hardwood, Phenolic Resin to match your needs.

furniture fittings worktops

Shelving

We offer both wall mounted and benchtop shelving for reagents, typically in either 18mm MFMDF or 16mm Trespa Toplab Base. Wall shelving is mounted on a bracket system, while benchtop shelving is typically supported by fabricated steel frame.

furniture fittings worktops

Fume Cupboards & Extract

Properly ventilated Fume Cupboards offer a safe way to handle chemicals and solvents in laboratories.

From ducted to portable ductless Fume Cupboards, our specialist and experienced partners are at hand to advise and install the right solution.

We provide Fume Cupboards manufactured and installed to meet the industry requirements (e.g. BS EN 14175) in various sizes (External Width 1000mm - 1200mm - 1500mm - 1800mm - 2000mm), Specifications and types (Bench Mounted, Walk In, Double Fronted, Integral Scrubber, HF Type, Thin Wall Bench Mounted) to meet your requirements and safe extraction.

Unsure of what type to go for? Our lab furniture suppliers can help, just get in touch.

furniture fittings worktops

Safety Cabinets

If you prefer fixed, robust benching or modular benching that offers flexibility and reconfiguration, our laboratory furniture manufacturers can deliver the perfect solution.

Whether you need Class I, II or III to handle Hazard Group 1 to 4 pathogens we can recommend suitable furniture suppliers.

furniture fittings worktops

Specialist & Other Requirements

If you have any specific needs such as Cold Room or Clean Room installation services, Industrial Gases, Liquid Nitrogen, Non-ionising Radiation (LASER), Plumbing, Temperature & Humidity Control or other, we can help.

furniture fittings worktops