Ensuring Redundancy and Robust Support Services
One critical factor in platform selection is how labs will avoid downtime during trying moments. The first point to consider—should your lab require it—is redundancy. Ideally, labs would have multiples of the same instrument, in the event that one goes down. But, for reasons of space and resource, this isn't always possible.
However, many automated platforms today have redundancy features built into a single unit. For instance, instruments may have multiple thermocyclers for amplification, or multiple channels for samples to flow through. For lab leaders, these features are something to consider carefully. "The ability to have built-in redundancy is something that I think is a very powerful and very attractive sales feature for a manufacturer," says Dr. Longshore.
Meanwhile, lab leaders should also ensure that they receive adequate support services from a manufacturer, in the event of system malfunctions. Here, Dr. Longshore advises that labs work with trusted equipment suppliers. "That's the importance of working with an established manufacturer. If you do not have redundancy or have a single instrument, they better have their repair people available almost instantaneously with the parts you need to get your workhorse up and running again," he says.
Of course, a lab's need for redundancy and rapid support will depend on the turnaround times required for particular tests. Dr. Nolte mentions, for instance, that while CMV viral load tests cannot experience downtime because results need to be rapid, other things, like HIV viral load tests, are under less pressure, because they may not be needed for several weeks. "That figures, I think, into the decision about whether or not you can tolerate a delay in delivering those results if you only have a single system," he says. Again, redundancy and reliable support will be critical for tests that require quick, consistent turnarounds.
On the whole, consolidating testing to fewer platforms can be a complicated endeavor. However, when lab leaders carefully evaluate their current and future testing menu needs, along with requirements for redundancy and rapid support, they can more easily find a manufacturer and workhorse that suits their lab. Over the long term, it is an effort that can save time and money for "instrument rich" molecular labs, putting them on a more sustainable path toward success.