Lab Matters Fall 2025 | Page 19

FEATURE

“ Automation is something that laboratory directors should consider because of the current workforce constraints in public health laboratory science,” Southern said.“ And when you talk about machines powering science, you have to consider the safety and security profiles of the instrument, as well as the safety and security practices of the individual running the instrument before you implement a new device or method in your laboratory.” With the advent of multi-use machines or testing platforms that can perform more than one type of test at a time, the procedures and processes used to stand up, perform, sterilize and then stand down the instrument take time, but is just one way that public health laboratories can ensure safety.

Laboratory automation is not a new concept. Clinical chemistry has used automation in their core laboratories for years. Because laboratories needed high throughput testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, transitioning to automated diagnostics was scrutinized in a way that incorporated the need for laboratory safety and security. Public health laboratory scientists invested in biosafety and biosecurity began to educate their communities not only about the need for automation, but about selection, use and personal protection while using this technology.

“ Automation is designed to not only increase the throughput of testing, but also to enhance safety protocols and prevent human errors,” said Iwen.“ But that doesn’ t mean that automation is a panacea for laboratory personnel, especially when upfront and ongoing costs can be a burden to their laboratories.”

“ We are now engaging our industry partners in a meaningful way such that when they develop devices, they are thinking about the safety and security of the end user as much as they are thinking about an instrument that will bring in revenue,” said Southern.

Educating the Workforce

Gone are the days when a laboratory scientist is doing antibody serology by hand, streaking plates, picking pathogen colonies from an agar plate and ensuring chemical reactions on tubes remain

“ You need to track everything [ related to a process ]. You need to track training and what processes people are trained to do, even including how to break down and sterilize a machine, because if you have cross-contamination in your piece of equipment the results are junk. Quality and safety should be hand in hand.”

controlled. Southern agrees that with that loss of knowledge, there is a tendency to place undue pressure on bench scientists and administrators to move faster between testing processes and procedures.

“ With the dependence on technology, we’ re losing human skills, such as reading plates,” Southern said.“ I think automation is setting up unrealistic expectations for laboratories, because there are still errors that occur and need human intervention.” But one advantage that new laboratorians have over previous scientists is the notion that biosafety and biosecurity are essential for laboratory practice, be it clinical, commercial or public health laboratory. And not only is it the training that is critical but staying informed of new practices and techniques.

“ You need to track everything [ related to a process ],” said Marian Downing, RBP, CBSP, SM( NRCM), biological safety consultant and American Biological Safety Association( ABSA) representative to APHL’ s Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee.“ You need to track training and what processes people are trained to do, even including how to break down and sterilize a machine, because if you have cross-contamination in your piece of equipment the results are junk. Quality and safety should be hand in hand.”

It is important to note that these safety precepts not only apply to benchlevel scientists but also to laboratory administrators and facilities personnel who are invested in quality assurance, safety and security for the laboratory. There also is a critical need to continue engagement with laboratory scientists to promote career development and to assure that cross-training and other practices are being utilized.

— Marian Downing, RBP, CBSP, SM( NRCM)

“ As laboratory personnel, you need to have an understanding of not only how the equipment functions and what the features are, but also how waste will be removed by your custodians and where the venting from that biosafety cabinet hood goes,” said Downing.“ A basic understanding of laboratory design goes a long way to ensuring fewer accidental exposures.” Southern agrees.

“ I believe the most effective scientistleader is someone who can do the job from beginning to end, regardless of automation,” he said.“ I want my laboratory scientists to learn how to make media, perform testing with all the appropriate controls, and thoughtfully evaluate all results. I even want my scientists to know how to take the trash out and run the autoclave. I believe by focusing on the end-to-end processes, including safety and security that accompanies those workflows, you are building a better foundation for your laboratory program.”

“ We continue to be in the early stages of establishing professional biosafety and