Brady off ers a range of durable labelling solutions
SMART APPROACH to sample labelling
Tugba Sert explains how to increase laboratory effi ciency with durable sample identifi cation
T
he 21st century promises to be the century of biology, with advances in our understanding of the living world leading to dramatic changes in the way we diagnose, treat and cure disease. Along with those advances comes a rising tide of samples. Knowing exactly what every sample is, where it comes from and when it was stored, will increasingly impact laboratory effi ciency. Scientists in all kinds of labs are now facing the possibility that existing methods of identifying, tracking and reporting on samples may be insuffi cient to the task ahead.
Sample loss
Among 350 scientists surveyed for the Brady whitepaper Sample Certainty: current trends in science and medicine, almost 60% reported having occasionally lost samples due to label failure. Lost samples can mean delays in drug development in industrial settings, and postponing or
undermining patient care in clinical settings, or damage to fi ndings in academic settings. All of these issues are directly related to laboratory effi ciency. Two key improvements can
be identifi ed to reduce the risk of sample loss and with it, increase laboratory effi ciency. Firstly, reduce labelling errors by using a standardised barcoding system at the point of sample acquisition. T is system can be part of a larger LIMS. Eliminating handwritten sample identifi cation, however, already represents a dramatic improvement. T e second improvement is to reduce label failure by using specialised laboratory label materials and printing inks that are durable because they can endure liquid nitrogen freezing, autoclaving, staining and long-term storage.
Best practice Regulatory agencies are pushing for better sample preservation. If the need is to store samples for years, lab personnel should be confi dent that the label information remains clear and relevant. To ensure that samples are labelled with permanent identifi cation, best practices indicate the following
considerations: ● Use machine-printed labels. Removing the variable of handwriting can eliminate one
of the biggest known risks in sample identifi cation.
● Use labels tested for the environment. With many samples going into extreme environments during processing and storage, it is key to use a label material that has been shown to withstand these environments.
● Test all labels before use. Even with performance data from the label manufacturer, good practice calls for testing new materials through the entire sample-handling workfl ow.
● Move to automated tracking. Best practice calls for applying a sample identifi cation code before the sample is processed, which can be easily achieved with a simple automated system.
Scrutiny of weak spots in the existing sample identifi cation and handling process points to several potential improvements, including the adoption of standardised labelling methods, barcoding and the use of labels designed to withstand extremes in the lab environment. With minor changes, many labs can dramatically reduce the risk of
A smart approach reduces both label errors and label failure
failure in their sample workfl ow, protecting both their samples and the potential value they represent for future studies and discovery.
For more information ✔ at
www.scientistlive.com/eurolab
Tugba Sert is laboratory product manager at Brady.
www.bradyeurope.com/lab
www.scientistlive.com
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