Hand labeling tubes is time consuming and tedious. Laboratory automation will provide valuable walk away time to attend to other important tasks, reduce repetitive injuries, eliminate human error, and reduce costs in the lab.

1. 5 Benefits of
Laboratory
Automation
Carrie Deitte

2. 1. Provides Valuable Walk-Away
Time
There are many important tasks to get done in the lab, so
why not eliminate the tedious and time consuming task of
hand labeling or filling tubes. Imagine how much time you will
save by giving this job to a fully-automated labeling machine
that can fill, read 2D barcode for verification, and place your
tubes back into the rack. Labeling tubes is a rather simple
task, so is it really necessary to have a scientist perform such
tedious work when he or she could be using their valuable
skills for a more specialized task?

3. 2. Reduces Repetitive Injuries
Manual labeling of tubes is not only tedious and time-consuming but it can
also lead to physical strain of the fingers and hands. People who have been
hand labeling tubes for years might start to experience numbness and
tingling in the hand, which ultimately decreases productivity in the lab. If your
daily routine consists of labeling, filling, de-capping and capping of tubes, this
can cause stress injuries in the fingers and in many cases lead to carpal
tunnel syndrome. Many fully-automated labeling machines can complete all
of these tasks for you and decrease the risk of repetitive injuries from manual
labeling.

4. 3. Reduces Costs in the Lab
Using laboratory automation in your lab will decrease the number of people
needed to label tubes, therefore resulting in cost savings. Not only will you
reduce costs in the lab, but you also might find an increase in revenue due to
lab automation. High-throughput machines ensure faster cycle times and
allow a greater number of tubes to be labeled faster therefore decreasing
turnaround time. This results in more time to attend to more patients, thus
greater patient satisfaction.

5. 4. Eliminates Human Error
There are many steps involved in preparing and keeping track of specimens.
Lab automation not only decreases human errors associated with sample
preparation but also it increases efficiency in the lab by allowing the user to
track samples. If you are working with a LIMS system or have an excel work
list, these can easily be imported into the software to ensure easy tracking of
specimens therefore reducing the amount of lost or misplaced samples.

6. 5. Flexible Machinery Saves
Valuable Space
Saving space in the lab is a legitimate concern. Although some lab
automation systems have a large footprint and take up lots of space, there
are also many systems that have a small footprint and are designed to fit
under a work hood.