This blog is part of the blog series: Top7 Challenges for R&D Labs Operations and Digitalization: Insights from our Clients.

The Risk of Contamination

In laboratory environments, minimizing contamination risks is essential. Even the slightest contamination can compromise the integrity of experiments, jeopardize product quality, and pose severe health and safety risks. While stringent protocols and cleanroom facilities are essential, documentation processes can inadvertently contribute to potential contamination risks if not handled with utmost care and precision.

Common Contamination Risks from Documentation Processes

Traditional paper-based documentation methods introduce several contamination risks. Handling paper records, transferring them between different areas, and storing them near experimental setups can lead to cross-contamination. This is why some labs are actually banning paper altogether. However, shared workstations, keyboards or touchscreens used for data entry into ELNs or LIMS also pose significant risks of transferring contaminants. These digital interfaces require a stringent degloving/regloving ritual which is time-consuming and can reduce the focus on the experiment.

“Scientists work with chemicals while wearing gloves and need to take notes. Then they either don't take notes or they have to remove their gloves, which is time-consuming and potentially unsafe. There is a temptation to take the pen with gloves on, risking contact with hazardous compounds – clearly not ideal,” explains Erwin Houben, Digitalization Manager at Envalior

Scientist using pen to document with gloves on.

As a side effet, manual data entry and transcription processes also increase the likelihood of errors, which can compromise data integrity and potentially lead to decisions that impact product quality and safety.

Consequences of Contamination

The consequences of contamination due to documentation processes can be far-reaching and severe. Compromised experiment integrity and data validity can undermine the reliability of research findings or product development efforts. In industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and food production, even minor contamination can lead to product quality issues, putting consumer health at risk. Additionally, contamination incidents can result in regulatory non-compliance, potentially leading to hefty fines, product recalls, and damage to an organization's reputation.
Sometimes, the consequences are not impacting the products but rather the personnel, especially when handling hazardeous compounds like in the chemical industry. Exposure to contaminants can pose direct health and safety risks to laboratory personnel, necessitating stringent precautionary measures. These safety protocols, however, are not always compatible with the meticulous real-time documentation of processes, creating a challenging balance between safety and comprehensive record-keeping.

Traditional Strategies for Minimizing Risks

To mitigate contamination risks associated with documentation processes, organizations have traditionally relied on stringent cleaning and decontamination protocols. Implementing cleanroom environments with controlled air quality and strict access controls has been a common practice in sensitive laboratory settings.

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, gowns, and face masks, has also been employed to minimize the risk of transferring contaminants during documentation tasks. However, these traditional strategies often involve significant operational costs and can impact efficiency, especially when documentation processes are intertwined with laboratory operations.

Embracing Digital Solutions

Recently, innovative solutions are emerging which offer different user interfaces than typing on a keyboard to enter data in a computer. Such solutions are able to address the challenge of minimizing contamination risks associated with physical records and manual data entry.

Voice-powered digital lab assistants, such as LabTwin, allow scientists to capture data, document observations, and follow protocols using voice commands, minimizing the need for physical contact with shared surfaces or devices. These solutions can seamlessly integrate with laboratory informatics systems, ensuring data integrity and traceability while reducing the risk of contamination.

Moreover, remote access to data and collaboration capabilities enabled by cloud-based platforms further mitigate risks by minimizing the physical presence of personnel in sensitive laboratory environments. By embracing these digital solutions, organizations can maintain rigorous documentation standards while significantly reducing contamination risks and enhancing operational efficiency.

FMCG Giant Reduces Contamination Risk By implementing LabTwin's solution

One of our client, a global leader in the FMCG industry achieved a remarkable 92.6% reduction in computer touches, normally requiring degloving during experiments, by leveraging LabTwin hands-free app instead to capture and access data.

"With LabTwin, I can record data without the awkward shuffle between workstations or the constant need to disinfect everything," says a scientist using LabTwin at the FMCG company. "It makes me feel more confident as I'm avoiding many potential errors. I can simply read off the numbers and data directly, giving them my full visual attention. Fewer errors mean less need for retesting, which saves a significant amount of time and resources."

This dramatic decrease not only minimized contamination risks but also significantly improved efficiency in laboratory operations. On a plate scoring worflow for example, the number of computer touches before using LabTwin was as high as 500 and most scientists would actually ask for a colleague’s support to collect data during this step. By using LabTwin, the time of this second person was fully saved as LabTwin can fill up this role of scribe.

Clients analysis on contamination risks reduction by LabTwin

Conclusion

Minimizing contamination risks from documentation processes is crucial for maintaining the integrity of laboratory operations, ensuring product quality, and safeguarding the health of personnel. As we've explored, traditional paper-based methods and shared devices pose significant contamination risks that can have far-reaching consequences.

The adoption of digital solutions, particularly voice-enabled digital lab assistants and integrated laboratory informatics systems, offers a transformative approach to addressing these challenges. By enabling hands-free, paperless documentation, these technologies dramatically reduce contamination risks while simultaneously improving efficiency and data accuracy.

Looking ahead, the future of laboratory documentation lies in continued digital innovation, with a focus on minimizing physical interactions and maximizing data integrity. By staying at the forefront of these technological advancements, organizations can ensure safer, more efficient, and more reliable laboratory operations.

Ready to transform your laboratory documentation processes and minimize contamination risks? Reach out today for a personalized demonstration of our voice-powered digital lab assistant.