Modern hospitals are equipped with impressive, high-tech equipment of various kinds. For example, many contain laminar air flow systems.
One new building that will no doubt house an array of sophisticated devices is the Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI). Recently, a revamp of its laboratories was completed. The facilities are designed to help with patient diagnoses and the project cost a total of £15 million.
Details
Called the Lister Lab, it was named after Joseph Lister, who was renowned for his discoveries concerning the prevention of wound infection. He worked at the GRI between 1861 and 1869 and his project during this time, which involved using carbolic acid, revolutionised the nature of surgical procedures.
The lab is housed in the hospital’s New Lister Building, which used to be called the University Tower. The facility processes hundreds of thousands of specimens requested by GPs and hospitals across the Glasgow area, so it is crucial that the facilities are up-to-scratch.
The Lister Lab is now home to Clinical Microbiology, the West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, which has relocated from Gartnavel General Hospital, and the Scottish Microbiology Reference Laboratories, which has moved from the Stobhill campus.
Significant investment
Commenting on the development, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s director of diagnostics Aileen MacLennan said: “This is another significant investment in laboratory medicine which will see NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde equipped with some of the most modern up-to-date laboratory facilities in the world. Laboratory services in Glasgow and Clyde are undergoing significant improvements in both accommodation facilities and equipment replacement.
“The refurbishment of the New Lister Building at Glasgow Royal Infirmary is the final phase in the current strategy delivering modern, state-of-the-art lab facilities for the people of Glasgow and Clyde.”
She added: “This combined with the new building on the Southern campus and our successful Managed Service Contract whereby equipment is being refreshed when needed, will ensure our medical and technical staff within our laboratories continue to meet the changing and future needs of our patients.”
Only the best will do
Whenever organisations are revamping their premises, they must pay keen attention to detail and make sure that the end results live up to their plans and goals. However, this is particularly important in the medical field because the implications of any shortcomings can be disastrous.
For example, if labs are not completed to the very highest standards, the work conducted within them can be flawed, and this leads to a variety of problems.
Plenty of choice
Luckily for organisations that are planning refurbishments, it is now easier than ever to get hold of top-class products. For example, by heading online, managers can source state-of-the-art laminar flow systems, safety cabinets, robotic enclosures, pharmaceutical isolators, ventilated tables, transfer hatches and powder control booths.
By choosing a provider capable of offering the very highest standard of systems and by opting for bespoke solutions that perfectly meet their needs, organisations can rest assured that they will benefit from impressive results. It is well worth going to the effort of finding a top-class supplier.
About the Author – Anna Longdin is a freelance blogger who has written extensively on the topic of medical and pharmaceutical equipment for a range of websites. his piece was written using www.containedairsolutions.co.uk for research.