Your Safety Matters
Scimedico's comprehensive preventive maintenance procedure focuses on end user safety and optimal equipment function. Our preventive maintenance services address all aspects of the equipment and include decontamination and cleaning, inspection, safety testing, digital documentation, and detailed reporting ensuring preparedness and reducing downtime.
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PRIORITIES
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD:
QUESTIONS FACING PATHOLOGY SURVEY
Below is an anonymous survey asking you, the members of the pathology community, what you think about current safety measures in the lab, as well as what safety measures can be improved. Data collected from this survey is completely anonymous and will be used in an upcoming advocacy campaign run by Scimedico on your behalf.
CFM Testing and Proper Ventilation
How ventilation air flow is tested is important. To get an accurate reading equipment type, work space, and available air flow must be taken into account.
During preventive maintenance services Scimedico cleans and decontaminates the interior compartments and ventilation ducts on the equipment. Removing buildup allows for a stronger, undisturbed air flow and should be done regularly to increase equipment lifespan and reduce chemical exposure.
Next, Scimedico tests on a CFM (cubic feet per minute) basis, using a protocol that encompasses the full workspace and ventilation intake. While FPM (feet per minute) ventilation testing is considered the standard and is widely used, it was designed specifically for a fume hood and typically only tests at one location. Testing on a CFM basis takes all equipment types, and how the end user works with them, into consideration. Therefore, a FPM reading may not be as accurate or functional. By testing accurately and often you can be sure that your equipment is removing carcinogens and keeping you safe.
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Ventilation readings are then compared to the manufacture's standards to ensure the equipment ventilation is exceeding standards. You work hard every day; shouldn't you're equipment be working hard to keep you safe?
Ventilation duct inside a grossing station that has not been serviced.
Optimizing equipment function by focusing on
ergonomics and proactive repairs
Preventive maintenance supports preparedness by identifying potential or unidentified issues and resolving them. Well functioning equipment reduces down time and increases end user safety and efficiency.
Ergonomics
Broken or malfunctioning equipment can not only hinder the productive output of the worker but can also cause life altering injuries and costly settlements. All laboratory equipment is designed to assist the person working on it by helping them complete tasks efficiently and comfortably. Preventive maintenance aims to identify issues such as broken elevation systems, malfunctioning wiring, and damaged accessories that decrease work place quality and safety.
Maximize your Warranty
While equipment maintenance services are important at all stages in the equipment life cycle, they hold their best value while the equipment is under warranty. Scimedico performs comprehensive PMs that identify needed repairs that can be billed to the manufacture. In addition, all products used during decontamination are manufacture approved and will not void the warranty.
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Decontamination Procedure
Scimedico uses a twelve step decontamination procedure on every preventive maintenance service. During this process the inside of the equipment is decontaminated. This is especially important in the ventilation ducts where chemicals and carcinogens can collect on the debris. Removing buildup promotes airflow that is clean and unrestricted.
Having a thorough decontamination adds an additional layer of protection and resets the cleanliness baseline so that it can be maintained. Not only does this protect staff but also decreases the risk of cross contamination.
As experts in the laboratory space, all the products that are used on the equipment are manufacture approved and will not void the warranty. Scimedico's specialists take pride in ensuring they are thorough and the job is done right.
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STAFF SAFETY AND QUALITY PATIENT CARE
Ergonomics and exceptional ventilation keep staff safe
Healthcare workers deserve to work in a safe environment, especially since the job they do is an integral part of the public health system in the United States and worldwide. We at Scimedico aim to help those whose labs we service, as well as those labs we don’t service, by impressing upon the pathology community the importance of preventive maintenance within the workplace.
Regularly maintaining your equipment ensures it is functioning at its best. Equipment that is inspected by industry experts is less likely to break, which reduces equipment downtime and the frequency equipment needs to be replaced. Having reports on issues gives management insight into common repairs and reliable manufactures.
Maintained Equipment reduces downtime and increases efficiency
Preventive maintenance is a complex, and often underdiscussed, topic in laboratory environments. Laboratory workers are handling dangerous carcinogens and specimens while dedicating their time to make life changing diagnoses and scientific breakthroughs. The equipment they are working on should not only be functioning at its best to be keeping them safe but should also be ergonomic to help them work comfortably and efficiently. When healthcare workers are sure of their safety and their equipment is ergonomic and well maintained they are more efficient and can focus on what matters - the patient.