As of 2023, 319,473 people are employed in the Diagnostic & Medical Laboratories industry in the United States, conducting experiments and doing medical research, engineering, and even basic science experiments. Even though we constantly witness technological advancements, the majority of these laboratories continue to use obsolete equipment and manual processes for routine tasks.
There’s no denying that investing in brand-new lab equipment can be quite a costly endeavor. While the initial cost of purchasing the equipment is high, there are additional costs associated with maintaining and operating it. However, failing to upgrade your lab equipment can lead to problems with precision, accuracy, and output, and pile up costs.
If you’ve been clinging to older equipment in an attempt to reduce expenses, read below about the major benefits of upgrading your lab equipment and how it can take your lab to new heights of productivity and innovation.
Reduced Maintenance Issues
Upgrading your lab equipment is a great way to reduce maintenance issues and ensure that your laboratory is running smoothly. By investing in new technology, you can reduce the amount of time spent on maintenance and repair tasks, as well as improve the accuracy and reliability of your data. Plus, frequent breakdowns can lead to lost productivity and financial losses.
For instance, a microplate washer is one of the most essential and used pieces of lab equipment for research needs. If your microplate washers show signs of wear, you must replace them by investing in new ones. This way, you can assist your lab in improving reproducibility, data quality, saving time, and reducing costs.
New equipment often comes with enhanced features that can help you save time and money while increasing efficiency. By upgrading your lab equipment, you will be able to make sure that your laboratory is running at its best.
Enhanced Safety
Manual testing and traditional methods of testing involve ongoing monitoring and contact with laboratory apparatus and harsh chemicals. The effects of excessive exposure to laboratory substances can be very harmful to employees and testing environments.
New lab equipment can enhance safety by minimizing contact between reagents and samples, and other hazardous materials in the lab. Instrumentation is also a reliable tool that can be used for many methods, reducing the need to handle fragile glass equipment. Automation and modern instrumentation reduce the risks associated with manual methods.
Elevated Integration
By purchasing new equipment, you can also improve integration significantly. Installing new software onto old equipment is difficult, as software and lab systems constantly evolve. In many cases, it’s even impossible.
These integration errors can hinder laboratories from upgrading their software and limit their operational potential. Another key benefit of upgrading your lab equipment is that it will allow you to achieve the numerous benefits of a fully integrated system. For instance, you’ll instantly see an increase in productivity and a better way of processing information.
Improved Accuracy and Precision
Lab equipment is constantly evolving and improving, and staying up to date with the latest advancements can help ensure that your lab is achieving maximum accuracy and precision in its results.
Labs should also consider updating outdated equipment and testing methods to produce more consistent results. The use of such outdated lab equipment and testing methods can negatively impact the accuracy and consistency of results. This can lead to a lack of confidence or the need for additional data to validate results. Modern equipment and manual processes can eliminate subjectivity and inconsistent results.
Automation
Manual processes may not be able to achieve the high level of precision and accuracy that your lab processes demand. By automating routine tasks and delivering results at a faster rate than your employees, upgrading lab equipment can give you a technological advantage. Automated laboratory equipment can deliver results quickly through electronic means, allowing remote access.
Modern lab equipment has the latest technology, which makes it costlier than older versions. This is why organizing the initial costs of acquisition during the upgrade process can be difficult for an organization. If financing lab equipment is a problem, you might even decide to lease the equipment.
High Return on Investment
Upgrading lab equipment can be expensive, but its modernity and automation ensure high productivity and efficiency, which leads to increased profit. The new equipment also helps to save money on frequent and expensive repairs that were previously required for the older equipment.
Optimized Efficiency
Upgrading your laboratory equipment can also boost efficiency. Lab equipment undergoes yearly advancements so that it can operate more safely and efficiently, which is essential in an industry that works under tight deadlines.
Final Thoughts
Laboratories are essential for advancing scientific knowledge and understanding of the universe around us. Upgrading your laboratory equipment doesn’t have to put a dent in your wallet. But sticking with your old, faulty lab equipment can rack up a considerable bill. By upgrading your lab equipment, you can exploit attractive benefits such as improving accuracy, enhancing safety, and optimizing efficiency.
This article was provided by Paul Williamson
