What do you need to take into consideration when visiting a laboratory? Everything! Yes, this sounds a little scary, but these are the people you’re entrusting with your health. Of course, you’ll likely know upon entering if you like the environment or not, but be sure to check the licenses and certifications, their maintenance checklist, and the hygiene of all the employees, not just the technicians!
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Licenses and Certifications
When entering the establishment, make sure you see their displayed credentials, certifications, and approval of operation from the state. Seeing these displayed in a public location will assure you that the laboratory you’re in is not sketchy. Also, upon meeting the person you’re going to be with for the duration of your appointment, check to make sure they’re wearing their white coat and have their specific credentials displayed.
Maintenance Checklist
A lab’s maintenance checklist includes checks for damages, inventory counts, and the completion of cleaning tasks. For example, they might have a cleaning checklist outside of public restrooms or a clipboard in the lab stating the most recent inspection dates for all machines and instruments. These checklists let you know that the facility is nonverbally communicating with each other to keep their facility in excellent condition.
Hygiene Practices
Watching the way all the employees in the facility practice their hygiene safety will tell you about how germs spread throughout the office. Depending on why you’re in the office, this can be crucial! For example, you don’t want to shake the hand or use the pen of a person who hasn’t washed their hands upon entering the room or who bites and chews their writing utensil.
Disposal Methods
The way a facility disposes of its garbage is critical to reducing fines. When thinking about what to take into consideration when visiting a laboratory, don’t forget to check the way they dispose of their additional waste. If the room you’re in only contains a garbage can but doesn’t have a hazardous waste bin or a place for needles, that establishment may not be up to code.
The way a medical facility disposes of its waste is essential to prevent infectious and communicable diseases. So although you don’t go to a laboratory for preventive care and checkups, you should care about the quality of the one you visit.
