Institution

Laboratory name
Location
Head/Responsible person
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Use and maintenance of a centrifuge
Code:
ersion: no!
"ate: of release
Page: 1 of 9
Content
1. Scope
2. Definitions and abbreviations
3. Personnel qualifications
#!$ %edical fitness
#!& 'ducation and training
4. Procedure
(!$ Principle
(!& Samples
(!# ')uipment and materials
(!( Reagents and solutions
(!* "etailed instructions for use
(!+ Reading and recording
(!, -ualit. control and maintenance
(!/ 0aste management
. !elated documents
"nne# 1. Centrifu$e lo$boo%
"nne# 2. Centrifu$e maintenance lo$boo%
Compiled b. '1amined b. 2ppro3ed b. Replaced 4e5 3ersion
4ame Code: Code:
"ate
Signature
Laborator. area: 4o of copies: Reason for c6ange:
Institution
Laboratory name
Location
Head/Responsible person
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Use and maintenance of a centrifuge
Code:
ersion: no!
"ate: of release
Page: 2 of 9
1. Scope
76is SOP describes t6e optimal operation of a centrifuge t6roug6 regular ser3icing and
pre3enti3e maintenance!
2. Definitions and abbreviations
76e relati3e centrifugal force (RC8) is determined according to t6e formula
RC8 9 $!$& 1 $:
;+
1 R 1 (rpm)
&
56ere:
RC8 is in g
R 9 radius in millimetres from t6e centre of t6e rotating 6ead to t6e bottom of t6e
spinning centrifuge tube
rpm 9 number of re3olutions per minute
Sedimentation efficienc. must be determined in RC8 (g< absolute 3alue) and not in rpm<
56ic6 is a measure of speed for a particular centrifuge 6ead!
7o generate an RC8 of #:::g< t6e re)uired rpm is calculated from t6e formula :
rpm 9 $:::=(RC8/$!$&R)
CPC: cet.l p.ridinium c6loride
RC8: relati3e centrifugal force
3. Personnel qualifications
3.1 Medical fitness
In accordance 5it6 national la5s and practices< arrangements s6ould be made for
appropriate 6ealt6 sur3eillance of 7> laborator. 5or?ers:
before enrolment in t6e 7> laborator.@
at regular inter3als t6ereafter< annuall. or biAannuall.@
after an. bio6aBard incident@
at t6e onset of 7> s.mptoms!
Ideall.< indi3idual medical records s6all be ?ept for up to $: .ears follo5ing t6e end of
occupational e1posure!
Laborator. 5or?ers s6ould be educated about t6e s.mptoms of 7> and pro3ided 5it6
read. access to free medical care if s.mptoms arise!
Confidential HI counselling and testing s6ould be offered to laborator. 5or?ers!
Options for reassignment of HIApositi3e or immunoAsuppressed indi3iduals a5a. from
t6e 6ig6Aris? areas of t6e 7> laborator. s6ould be considered!
Institution
Laboratory name
Location
Head/Responsible person
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Use and maintenance of a centrifuge
Code:
ersion: no!
"ate: of release
Page: 3 of 9
2ll cases of disease or deat6 identified in accordance 5it6 national la5s and/or practice
as resulting from occupational e1posure to biological agents s6all be notified to t6e
competent aut6orit.!
3.2 Education and training
'ducation and training must be gi3en on t6e follo5ing topics:
potential ris?s to 6ealt6 (s.mptoms of 7> disease and transmission)@
precautions to be ta?en to minimiBe aerosol formation and pre3ent
e1posure@
6.giene re)uirements@
5earing and use of protecti3e e)uipment and clot6ing@
6andling of potentiall. infectious materials@
laborator. design< including airflo5 conditions@
pre3ention of incidents and steps to be ta?en b. 5or?ers in t6e case of
incidents (bio6aBard incidents< c6emical< electrical and fire 6aBards)@
good laborator. practice and good microbiological tec6ni)ues@
organiBation of 5or? flo5@
5aste management@
use of e)uipment (operation< identification of malfunctions< maintenance)!
76e training s6all be:
gi3en before a staff member ta?es up 6is/6er post@
strictl. super3ised@
adapted to ta?e account of ne5 or c6anged conditions@ and
repeated periodicall.< preferabl. e3er. .ear!
4. Procedure
4.1 Principle
2 centrifuge is intended to separate particles in a li)uid b. sedimentation! "ense
particles sediment first< follo5ed b. lig6ter particles! In a 7> laborator.< centrifuges are
used for t6e sedimentation and concentration of tubercle bacilli 5it6in li)uefied sputa or
bod. fluids (usuall. urine)!
Note: To obtain a high sedimentation efficiency of 95%, i.e. 95% of bacilli
recovered in the sediment and only 5% of bacilli still in suspension to be
discarded with the supernatant, an RCF of !!!gmust be maintained for "5#$!
minutes.
76e centrifugation time and 6ig6 speeds used to ac6ie3e effecti3e sedimentation
efficienc. lead to 6eat buildAup in t6e centrifuge and t6e specimen! 7o pre3ent cell
deat6 from o3er6eating< t6e use of a refrigerated centrifuge< operated at /A$: CC< is
recommended! Ho5e3er< if specimens contain cet.l p.ridinium c6loride<
centrifugation must be done at room temperature because CPC precipitates at
lo5er temperatures!
Institution
Laboratory name
Location
Head/Responsible person
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Use and maintenance of a centrifuge
Code:
ersion: no!
"ate: of release
Page: 4 of 9
4.2 Samples
"econtaminated and li)uefied specimens< 6ig6A3olume effusions< 5ater. specimens!
4.3 Equipment and materials
Centrifuge
76e centrifuge must generate an RC8 of #:::g and s6ould preferabl. be refrigerated!
76e centrifuge lid must 6a3e a loc?ing mec6anism to pre3ent opening 56ile t6e rotor is
still rotating!
'nsure t6at t6e centrifuge is located on a rigid< flat< le3el surface: an. c6ange in t6e
surface ma. influence t6e centrifugation process! >ecause of t6e 3ibration t6e. produce<
centrifuges must be ?ept apart from balances!
2llo5 sufficient free space around t6e centrifuge for ade)uate 3entilation to pre3ent
o3er6eating!
%erosol&free swing buc'ets
8or use in a 7> laborator.< t6e centrifuge must 6a3e aerosolAfree (OAring sealed) safet.
s5ing buc?ets t6at can be remo3ed from t6e centrifuge and placed inside a >SC for t6e
remo3al of indi3idual centrifuge tubes! 76e sealed buc?ets protect operators from
infectious particles in case of tube damage during centrifugation! It is ad3isable to use
transparent buc?et co3ers so t6at lea?age can be detected before opening!
Centrifuge tubes
Centrifuge tubes must 5it6stand of at least #:::g and must be used 5it6 suitable
rubber or plastic cus6ions matc6ed to bot6 t6e tubes and t6e buc?et 6older! 2daptors< if
used< must be t6ose recommended b. t6e manufacturer!
(ther items)
clot6 or paper to5els for cleaning and disinfection!
balance 5it6 :!$ g accurac. for balancing centrifuge tubes!
tac6ometer for periodic calibration of centrifuge speed!
4.4 Reagents and solutions
't6anol< ,:D
4.5 etailed instructions for use
>efore use< c6ec? t6e inside of t6e centrifuge and t6e rotors to ensure t6at
e3er.t6ing is dr.! If t6ere is an. sign of corrosion< discontinue use until t6e corroded
part 6as been repaired b. a )ualified ser3ice tec6nician!
C6ec? t6at s6oc?Aabsorbing pads are in t6e bottom of t6e centrifuge buc?ets!
>alance t6e opposing buc?ets b. 5eig6ing t6em 5it6 t6eir tubes on an open t5oA
pan balance! 2dd 5ater to an empt. tube placed in t6e buc?ets to ac6ie3e final
balance! 4''R add 5ater to a specimen to balance tubes! 4e3er fill centrifuge
tubes to more t6an t6reeA)uarters capacit.!
S.mmetricall. distribute balanced tubes in opposing buc?ets! 2l5a.s operate t6e
centrifuge 5it6 all buc?ets in place< e3en if t5o opposing buc?ets are empt.!
S5itc6 on and follo5 t6e manufacturerEs instructions to set t6e centrifugation
conditions: #:::g< $*;&: minutes< /;$: CC!
Institution
Laboratory name
Location
Head/Responsible person
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Use and maintenance of a centrifuge
Code:
ersion: no!
"ate: of release
Page: of 9
Close and loc? t6e lid!
Start t6e centrifuge c.cle!
06ile t6e centrifuge is reac6ing full speed< stand 5it6 .our 6and on t6e unit to detect
e1cessi3e 3ibration (usuall. due to improper balance)! If e1cessi3e 3ibration occurs<
or if a crac? is 6eard or tube brea?age is suspected< s5itc6 off t6e unit!
Open t6e centrifuge onl. after t6e signal for end of centrifugation is seen!
Remo3e t6e sealed buc?ets (not tubes) slo5l. and carefull. to pre3ent reA
suspension of t6e sediments! Place t6e buc?ets inside t6e >SC! In t6e >SC<
carefull. open t6e buc?ets@ c6ec? for tube damage before remo3ing tubes from t6e
buc?ets!
Sediments and supernatants s6ould be 3isible after centrifugation!
06en t6e centrifuge is under refrigeration< lea3e t6e top closed to a3oid
condensation!
4.! Reading and recording
Record details of operation of t6e centrifuge in t6e centrifuge logboo? (2nne1 $)!
4." #ualit$ control and maintenance
*.+." ,nitial installation
Initial calibration s6ould be performed onl. b. a )ualified ser3ice tec6nician!
*.+.$ -aily maintenance
0ipe t6e inside of t6e bo5l 5it6 disinfectant solution and rinse t6oroug6l.!
76e centrifuge must not be used if t6e interior is 6ot< if unusual 3ibrations or noises
occur< or if deterioration (corrosion of parts) is detected! 2 )ualified ser3ice tec6nician
s6ould be contacted!
%ost 3ibrations are due to improper balancing and can be corrected b. reAbalancing t6e
buc?ets and tubes!
*.+. .onthly maintenance
Clean t6e centrifuge 6ousing< rotor c6amber< rotors and rotor accessories 5it6 a neutral
cleaning agent!
Clean plastic and nonAmetal parts 5it6 a fres6 solution of *D sodium 6.poc6lorite
(bleac6) mi1ed $:$: 5it6 5ater (one part bleac6 plus nine parts 5ater)!
*.+.* %nnual maintenance
76e centrifuge must be ser3iced annuall. b. a )ualified ser3ice tec6nician 56o must
ensure t6at t6e unit operates safel. and properl.! 76e ser3ice s6ould include
cleaning condenser coils< fans< screens and filters< c6ec?ing t6e centrifuge brus6es<
bearings< timer< temperature and speed< and c6ec?ing for electrical integrit.! 76e
ser3ice tec6nician must issue an inspection certificate indicating compliance 5it6
safet. and proper operation! 76e most recent inspection certificate must be
displa.ed close to t6e centrifuge (2nne1 &)!
4.% &aste management
Institution
Laboratory name
Location
Head/Responsible person
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Use and maintenance of a centrifuge
Code:
ersion: no!
"ate: of release
Page: & of 9
7ubes bro?en during centrifugation must be discarded immediatel.! Put t6em in a
metallic container< label Fbro?en glassF and autocla3e!
Clean metal bo5ls and parts 5it6 ,:D et6anol and plastic parts 5it6 *D bleac6! "o not
use bleac6 for metal parts as it causes corrosion!
. !elated documents
%anufacturerGs manual< specific to eac6 centrifuge
/asics of 0uality assurance for intermediate and peripheral laboratories< &nd ed! Cairo<
0HO Regional Office for t6e 'astern %editerranean< &::&!
1aboratory biosafety manual< #rd ed! Hene3a< 0orld Healt6 OrganiBation< &::(
(a3ailable at:
6ttp://555!56o!int/csr/resources/publications/biosafet./0HOIC"SICSRILJOI&::(I$$
/en/)
.aintenance and repair of laboratory, diagnostic imaging and hospital e0uipment!
Hene3a< 0orld Healt6 OrganiBation< $KK(!
.aintenance manual for laboratory e0uipment< &
nd
ed! Hene3a< 0orld Healt6
OrganiBation< &::/ (a3ailable at
555!56o!int/entit./diagnosticsIlaborator./documents/guidance/guidance&/en/)
.anual of basic techni0ues for a health laboratory< &nd ed! Hene3a< 0orld Healt6
OrganiBation< &::#!
Institution
Laboratory name
Location
Head/Responsible person
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Use and maintenance of a centrifuge
Code:
ersion: no!
"ate: of releasing
Page : ' of 9
"nne# 1. Centrifu$e lo$boo%
OperatorEs name "ate 7ime
RC8 9 #:::g
(tic? if correct)
7ime 9 &: min
(tic? if correct)
7emp! 9 $: CC
(tic? if correct)
Sediment
(tic? if correct)
Specif. ot6er centrifuge conditions< if an.
4ote obser3ations< if an.
Institution
Laboratory name
Location
Head/Responsible person
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Use and maintenance of a centrifuge
Code:
ersion: no!
"ate: of releasing
Page : ( of 9
"nne# 2. Centrifu$e maintenance lo$boo%
)*+, )D+-*).)C"*)/-
')uipment: C'47RI8UH' >rand name
Purc6ase date: %odel/t.pe
Location 5it6in laborator.: Serial no
0arrant. e1pir. date:
%anufacturer: 7el:
2ddress:
Contact person:
7ec6nical ser3ice representati3e: 7el:
P+!)/D)C)*01
"ate %aintenance operation Operator
.")L2!+ +3+-*S
"ate '3ent Correcti3e Operator
Institution
Laboratory name
Location
Head/Responsible person
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Use and maintenance of a centrifuge
Code:
ersion: no!
"ate: of releasing
Page : 9 of 9
action ta?en