Pathology Lab Slide & Paraffin Block Storage
Pathology lab slides and paraffin blocks require proper storage to ensure their integrity. Considerations need to be made with regard to light, temperature, storage conditions, and storage length. Storing lab slides and paraffin blocks for too long in inadequate storage conditions can lead to deterioration in quality and reliability, especially for those that are stored for a longer period of time. A wide variety of shelves, racks, and other storage solutions—including paraffin block storage boxes for smaller samples and tissue block storage systems for bulk materials—are available to help ensure that you’re providing the best storage possible for these sensitive materials. High-density shelving and vertical storage carousels have been used increasingly often for healthcare applications due to the space savings, ergonomics, and easy accessibility they offer.
High-Density Shelving
High-density shelves are used in numerous applications across every industry, from businesses to warehouses and labs. High-density shelving saves space by eliminating the need for access aisles between each row of shelves, and instead replaces them with one or two movable access aisles. With its compacting ability, they are typically able to reduce used floorspace by half. Click here to watch a video on storing slides and blocks on high-density shelving.
A problem that many labs face includes the heaviness of storing glass slides. Shelves that aren’t sturdy enough will sag due to the weight, especially if the slides are stored on the upper shelves. Some labs solve this problem by storing lab slides on the bottom shelves, with lighter paraffin blocks stored on top. Any type of shelving can be mounted on the mobile carriages, so there’s no need to buy new shelves if you don’t need to. Powered high-density shelving is also integrated with automatic safety sweeps and brake systems that immediately stop the movement of the shelves if there are any obstructions in the open aisle.
Vertical Carousels
If you need to store a large amount of lab slides that need to be rotated through the system frequently, then vertical carousels are an ideal solution. Instead of shelves that take up valuable floor space, the vertical carousels utilize your overhead air space to store more in a compact footprint. Typically, vertical carousels can allow hospitals and labs to save 75% of their floor space compared to traditional storage methods. Instead of walking and searching, the user simply pushes a button to rotate the enclosed shelves, bins, or drawers within the unit to an ergonomically-placed work counter for easy retrieval.
Vertical carousels can also be integrated with pick-to-light and inventory management software. For example, the software can log storage dates of slides so you can be sure to use them before deterioration begins from being stored too long. Vertical carousels are also ideal for use in climate-controlled storage areas. Stored slides and blocks are also protected from light, dust, and dirt due to the enclosed nature of the system. Click here to watch a video about how the vertical carousels work.
BIM Pathology Blood Slide Storage Vertical Carousels
Contact Us for Pathology Lab Slide Specimens & Paraffin Blocks Storage
Whichever option you choose, you are guaranteed to have a storage solution that will provide significant benefits for your pathology lab slides and paraffin blocks storage area. Southwest Solutions Group® would be happy to help you find a solution that works for you, and we will even provide you with a free consultation to determine your exact needs and specifications before you commit to buying anything. For more information or to speak with a healthcare storage specialist, call us at 1-800-803-1083 or send us a message today.
