Plan of a peripheral medical laboratory

1. A one-room laboratory

Figure 2.1 sets out the possible arrangement of a peripheral medical laboratory attached to a health centre. It shows a laboratory suitable for carrying out some or all of the techniques described in the manual. The plan is limited to one room, since often this is all the space that is available for the laboratory. The room should measure at least 5 m ¥6m.

Figure 2.2 indicates another possible arrangement of a peripheral laboratory. It can obviously be modified to suit different circumstances.

Fig. 2.1 Plan for a one-room laboratory

Fig. 2.2 Alternative plan for a one-room laboratory

1: outpatient’s table; 2: hand-operated centrifuge; 3: microscopes; 4: haematology area; 5: colorimeter; 6: waterbath; 7: electric centrifuge; 8: syphilis serology and biochemistry area; 9: reagent refrigerator; 10: reagent shelf; 11: glassware shelf; 12: balance; 13: staining box; 14: area for examination of sputum specimens; 15: Bunsen burner; 16: sinks; 17: waste sink; 18: bed for patients; 19: record-keeping area; 20: area for examination of stool specimens; 21: area for examination of urine specimens; 22: area for reception of specimens; 23: gas bottle.

2. A two-room laboratory

If two rooms are available, it is recommended that the second be used for washing and sterilization. Dirty and/or contaminated material should be removed from the laboratory working area as quickly as possible, both for the safety of the workers and to avoid errors and cross-contamination.