Procedure No.

456-20010301 Centrifuges (Combined)

Overview . Clean and properly maintain all centrifuges'

(Note: Contact the manufacturer for guidance
Centrifuges use centrifugal force to separate
if th" op".utor's manual does not specify
suspend-eO particles from a liquid or to separate
cleaning or disinfecting agents' Prolonged
liquios of various densities. These liquids can
include body fluids (blood, serum, urine),
contaciwith some disinfection solutions Ie'9',
10o/o sodium hypochloritel may damage the
commercial reagents, or combinations of the two
rotor and other centrifuge components;
with other additives. Centrifugation is used for
ensure that such solutions are removed by
most sample preparations in a clinical laboratory'
rinsing well with water.)
There are three general classifications of
. Checliand record timer accuracy monthly'
'Check and record speed (rpm) accuracy
centrituges: lowlpeed (s6,000 rpm), high speed
.
monthly (critical use) or quarterly'
(6,000 6 25,000 rpm), and ultrah.igh speed
types of . Check and record built-in tachometei'
izS,Ooo to 110,000 rpm) These three monthly.
centrifuges are available as tabletop and/or fioor
modelsfand some are reftigerated centrifuges'
(Note: Operators should refer to CAP'I Laboratory
Microhematocrit centrifuges are specialized
centrifuges used in a hematology department to instrument Evaluation Verification & Maintenance
determine an accurate packed cell volume of red Manual, Sth edition, 1999.)
blood cells. The speed of a microhematocrit
centrifuge ranges from 7,000 to 15,000 rpm' Following is a summary of the maintenance
requirerients of the American Association of Blood
Banks (AABB), CAP, and the U.S. Food and Drug
Certain hazards are associated with the operation
of centrifuges. Sanrple tubes may break; Administration (FDA).
breakage G most likely to occur iF manufacturers'
instrJct]ons, such as using correct tube sizes and
locations and using cushions, are not followed'
Rotors may detach or fail, possibly because of a
loose retaining nut or imbalanced tube placement;
rotor or tube failures may result in operator
exp,osure to physical or infectious hazards'
Aerosols may be created from the samples Or the
operator may be harmed while attempting to slow
down or stop the rotor by hand. Therefore, the lid
should never be opened while the rotor is
spinning, and safety inner protective lids should
be used when available.

Hazards also exist when the centrifuge is not in

operation; for example, broken gla-ss, p.ossibly
contaminated with blood, may be found inside the
centrifuge during cleaning or IPM'

In addition to careful adherence to use and

maintenance instructions, equipment rvith
appropriate safeguards should be used' As a
minimum, centrifuges should have a lid and a
latch that will prevent the lid from opening in the
event of a failure while the rotor is spinning' A
safety interlock, which permits the lid to be
opened only after the rotor has stopped (or
reached a very low speed), is preferred, and all
new centrifuges should have this feature'

Laboratory personnel are required by the College

of Arnerican Pathologists (GP) to do the
following:

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