Four Tips on How to Keep Your Lab Organized

When you are working in a diagnostic lab, you will need to have quick access to equipment and supplies that make testing possible.  Some tests involve the usage of many different supplies and pieces of equipment, such as microscopes, warmers, syringes, and chemicals.  When you use many different supplies in just one test, this can require the need to stockpile supplies so that you avoid running out in critical times.  At our lab, we focus on tests in dermatopathology in Pittsburgh, PA that assist in making diagnoses for many of our dermatology clients.  This involves the use of many supplies on a routine basis.  There are a few tips you can follow to keep your lab supplies organized to produce timely results and prevent the issue of running low.

Group by Function

When it comes time for you to perform certain jobs in the lab, you'll likely use similar chemicals or supplies each time.  Lab work tends to be repetitive, and you should consider this in your organization scheme for your supply closet.  Consider grouping the supplies by their usage.  This will make it easier for technicians to find what they need when they are performing certain tasks and tests.

Label Your Supplies

To avoid confusion, you should always label your lab supplies before you throw them in storage.  By properly labeling your supplies, you can also include any specific directions or handling instructions that are necessary when using those particular items.  Labels are helpful in locating your supplies and understanding how to care for them.

Check Your Inventory

The last thing you want to happen is for your lab technicians to reach for a specific supply to perform a test and discover that you are completely out.  This will make those tests impossible to perform until you restock your supplies.  Avoid this mistake by doing a routine inventory check.  Once you determine the supplies that are running low, you can place an order for more supplies or equipment for your lab.

Use Software for Inventory

There are many different ways to keep track of your lab inventory, and one of the best ways is by using inventory software.  This can also be used to map out and locate the supplies in your lab, which makes it extremely useful for many reasons.  Many programs will keep a chart of your supplies so that you know exactly what you ordered and when you'll need to order once again.

By following these four tips, you will be able to keep a stockpile of lab supplies to ensure that you never run out and can always find your materials when you need them most.  At our lab for dermatopathology in Pittsburgh, PA, we keep many supplies on hand to provide timely results for our clients.  Contact us to hear about our lab services today.