# Presentation: 535627

## Module 11: Use and Care of Equipment

**At the HIV Rapid Testing Site**

## The Lab Quality System

## Learning Objectives

- At the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Specify your responsibilities related to equipment
- Routinely monitor the temperatures of refrigerators and freezers
- Confirm auto pipettes deliver specified volumes
- Properly use and maintain centrifuges

## Content Overview

- Rationale for using properly maintained equipment
- Your responsibilities for equipment
- Use and care of equipment at the HIV rapid testing site
- Refrigerator and Freezer
- Pipette
- Centrifuge

## Functioning Equipment is Vital to Quality Service

**Produces **
**reliable **
**test results**

**Lowers **
**repair costs**

**Prevents **
**delays in **
**testing**

**Maintains **
**productivity**

**Total**
**Quality**

**Functioning**
**Equipment**

## Equipment at HIV Rapid Testing Site

**Equipment at HIV Rapid Testing Site**

**Centrifuge**

**Refrigerator **
**& freezer**

- Separates cells from serum/ plasma

**Pipette**

- Collects or transfers specimen to test device

## Management Responsibilities: Ensure Test Site Readiness

- Before equipment use:
- Assign oversight responsibility
- Update laboratory equipment inventory record
- Develop and implement written protocols for operating procedures
- Establish maintenance program including routine function checks and trouble-shooting
- Establish maintenance log
- Provide training for all operators

## Your Responsibilities: Execute at Test Site

- Follow written operational procedures
- Conduct routine maintenance, including function checks
- Take corrective actions
- Keep records

**Do not use**
** ****malfunctioning **
**equipment**

## Function Checks Verify that Equipment is Working Properly

- Performed routinely
- Daily, weekly, monthly
- After adjustment or repair
- Example:
- Monitoring refrigerator temperatures
- Verifying pipette accuracy
- Checking centrifuge speed

## Refrigerator and Freezer: Use and Care

- Keep organized
- Periodically clean inside and outside
- Ensure door is completed sealed when closing
- CAUTION! – DO NOT store food items or beverages in laboratory refrigerator or freezer

## Refrigerator & Freezer:Temperature Checks

- Monitor daily
- Refrigerator:  2oC to 8oC
- Freezer:  -20oC, -40oC, or -80oC

## Refrigerator & Freezer:Temperature Log

**Refrigerator & Freezer:****Temperature Log**

**Notes:**
This form is an example of what should be used to record and monitor refrigerator/freezer temps.
A copy is included in the participant manual.

## Types of Pipettes

- Precision pipettes (Not disposable)
- Precise and accurate volumes (e.g., 50 μl for Determine)
- Use disposable, single-use, pipette tips
- Graduated plastic bulb pipettes (Disposable)
- Dispenses approximate volume
- Easy to use

## Pipette: Use and Care

- Select the appropriate pipette for the volume required
- Ensure that the pipettor, tips, and specimen are at the same temperature
- Firmly attach tip

## Pipette: Use and Care (Cont’d)

- Hold the pipette vertically when aspirating
- Place tip just below the sample
- Avoid air bubbles
- Discard contaminated tips in appropriate container after completion of task

**DO NOT RE-USE**
- - Pipette tips
- - Graduated plastic bulb pipettes

## Precision Pipettes Require  Performance Checks

- Performed periodically
- Required supplies:
- Pipette
- Pipette tips
- Analytical balance
- Weigh boats
- Distilled or deionzed water

## Pipette a series of 10 samples into a weigh boat on an analytical scale
Record weight of each sample to  calculate calibration results
Verify calculated results are within limits
Range	Max/Min   		 Accuracy
 10 μl  	 +  1.0 μl		10%
100 μl		+ 10.0 μ l		10%
200 μl		+ 20.0 μ l		10 %
If the results are not within limits, remove from service until appropriate adjustment can be made 
Decontaminate pipette and scale after use

- Record weight of each sample to  calculate calibration results
- Verify calculated results are within limits
**Range****	****Max/Min   ****	****	**** Accuracy**
-  10 μl  	 _+_  1.0 μl		10%
- 100 μl		_+_ 10.0 μ l		10%
- 200 μl		_+_ 20.0 μ l		10 %
- If the results are not within limits, remove from service until appropriate adjustment can be made
- Decontaminate pipette and scale after use

**Pipette: Steps for Checking Reproducibility**

## Pipette: Troubleshooting

- Leakage** **

**Problem**

**Potential Cause**

**Action**

| Tip(s) incorrectly attached | Attach firmly |
| --- | --- |
| Foreign articles between the tip and cone
O-ring damaged	 | Clean tip cones

Change the O-ring |
| Incorrect operation
Tip incorrectly attached | Follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully
Firmly attach tip |
|  |  |
|  |  |

- Inaccurate dispensing

**Notes:**
The slide is self explanatory.

## Centrifuge:  Use and Care

- Always operate with the lid closed
- Balance contents before turning on
- Check for vibration
- Do not open the lid until the rotor has come to a complete stop
- Keep lids on tubes when spinning

## Centrifuges: Function Checks

- Proper balance
- Lubrication
- Rotor function

## Centrifuge: Routine Maintenance

- Clean interior, condenser coils, fan, and screens
- Investigate unusual noises or vibrations
- Inspect for evidence of wear, cracks in fitting, corrosion, uneven wear, or signs of fatigue:
- Head, shaft head and coupling
- Rotor
- Brushes and bearings
- Power supply
- Motor and lubricant
- Gaskets, seals, mounts and lubricants
- Calibrate speed

## Centrifuge Safety

- Increase the speed slowly until optimal speed is reached
- Disconnect the centrifuge from the electrical source before preventive maintenance, cleaning or inspection
- Take caution when removing spills and broken specimen tubes after a run
- If tubes are broken, keep the door closed and allow to sit undisturbed for 30 minutes before attempting to clean
- Use tweezers to remove broken glass

## Keep a Log for All Maintenance Activities

**Keep a Log for All Maintenance Activities**

## Purpose:
Use what you have learned in this module and create a maintenance checklist specific to your test site
Process:
Work in groups of 3-4 (or by test site) 
Create a list of maintenance activities on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis 
Activity time; 10 minutes

- Purpose:
- Use what you have learned in this module and create a maintenance checklist specific to your test site
- Process:
- Work in groups of 3-4 (or by test site)
- Create a list of maintenance activities on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis
- Activity time; 10 minutes

## Summary

- Why is it important to keep equipment in optimal condition?
- Describe proper use and care for:
- Refrigerator and freezer
- Pipettes
- Centrifuges
- What are some routine maintenance activities performed on:
- Refrigerator and freezer?
- Pipettes?
- Centrifuges?
- Describe your responsibilities for equipment at the test site.