Pipettes: The Primary Laboratory Measurement Tool
Laboratory scientists use piston-type volumetric devices, also known as pipettes, to develop drugs and therapies, or to provide critical diagnostic test results. The goal is clear: to improve the lives of many people through good science. Pipettes are laboratory tools that provide scientists with the ability to measure very small volumes of liquid with very high accuracy and precision. Science can progress efficiently when pipetting performance is high. However, when pipetting performance is poor, test results suffer and often lead to expensive rework.
Poor pipette performance = pipette error
Assay rework is common in laboratories. Since science is about reproducibility, test results are often repeated for confirmation. However, when rework is caused by poor or inconsistent measurement performance, results can be difficult to confirm and test costs can rise significantly.
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Four Sources of Pipette Errors
Improper type of pipette: There are several major sources of poor pipette performance. Pipettes used to measure liquids often lead to pipette errors. For example, air displacement pipettes are ideal for aqueous liquids, while positive displacement models are ideal for viscous and corrosive liquids.
Unvalidated pipette tips: Measurement performance cannot be guaranteed unless you use the same brand of pipette tips as your pipette tips, or have an expert test to validate your universal pipette tips. While universal tips can be used successfully with a variety of pipettes, users should not proceed unless pipette tips have been validated by data collection or experimentation. Performance testing of universally fitted pipette tips by an ISO 8655 compliant calibration provider is the best way to ensure that your pipette tips will fit your pipette and will not result in accidental pipetting mistake. Our knowledgeable team can perform tests in our laboratory to verify the performance and fit of your universal pipette tips - ensuring accuracy and reducing costly pipette errors.
Compromising your calibration service: How to perform a pipette calibration service is often thought to be similar. However, there are some notable differences between field pipette services and laboratory pipette services, as the measurement services provided by field pipette services are quite different from the standard calibration services of laboratory pipette calibration providers. When calibration services are performed on-site, adequate tools, components, test equipment, and environmental controls may provide higher measurement uncertainty for the calibration. While on-site pipette calibration services offer flexibility and convenience, the lack of test equipment and environmental controls can leave room for error. For the highest measurement assurance throughout the calibration lifecycle, a laboratory calibration provider offering detailed preventive maintenance services is the ideal solution.
Incorrect use in the laboratory: Finally, the largest source of pipetting errors in the laboratory is caused by pipette users. Bad or inconsistent user techniques can easily translate into poor and inconsistent test results. Even high-end pipette brands, used with performance-tested pipette tips and calibrated to ISO 8655 performance standards by an ISO 17025 certified supplier, cannot cope with the inaccuracy and inaccuracy of poor pipette users Qualified reproducibility.
Significant cost of pipette errors
In the following laboratory scenario, cost estimates are assigned to reflect the impact of individual pipette errors on the laboratory budget, and these costs are then extended to the entire laboratory staff. Actual costs may vary, but the impact is obvious. For diagnostic laboratories, sample loss due to pipette errors can be detrimental to the testing process and patients.
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Prevent pipette errors in the lab
The simple solution is for laboratories to realize these costs first and invest in pipette error prevention. By reducing pipette errors, you can reduce testing and development costs.
