Manual of basic techniques for a health laboratory - libdoc.who.int

32 Manual of basic techniques for a health laboratory2.5 EquipmentThe following is a list of the apparatus needed to equip a laboratory capable ofcarrying out all the examinations described in this manual. Such a laboratory wouldusually be located in a small rural hospital (district level) which might have between60 and 100 beds.2.5.1 Essential laboratory instrumentsMicroscopes 1The laboratory should be equipped with two microscopes.● One microscope is for use in haematology. It should have an inclined binoculartube, a mechanical stage, three objectives (¥ 10, ¥ 40, ¥ 100), two eyepieces (¥ 5,¥ 10), a condenser and an electric lamp that can be connected to the mainselectricity supply or a battery.● The second microscope is for use in other laboratory procedures (parasitology,urine analysis, bacteriology, etc.) and should have an inclined binocular tubeand accessories as listed above.At the health centre level one binocular microscope is sufficient.Centrifuges 2It is useful to have two centrifuges:— an electric centrifuge with a microhaematocrit head attachment and a reader;— a hand-operated or an electric centrifuge with four buckets.Balance 3An analytical balance with a set of weights is necessary if reagents are to be preparedin the laboratory.If the laboratory is required to prepare a wide range of reagents, a two-pan balancewith a corresponding set of weights (see section 3.2.2) is useful.RefrigeratorReagents (such as those required for pregnancy tests, etc.) and materials (such ascertain transport media, specimens, etc.) should be kept in the refrigerator.Water-bathA water-bath equipped with a thermostat for temperature control is required whensamples or materials must be kept at a certain temperature and when measurementsmust be made at a given temperature.Differential counterAlthough a hand tally counter can be used, a differential counter saves time.Photometer or colorimeterIt is necessary to have a photometer or colorimeter for blood chemistry tests andfor accurate determination of haemoglobin levels. Battery-powered models are commerciallyavailable.1For further information, see section 3.1.2For further information, see section 3.3.3For further information, see section 3.2.3.