Slide Storage Carousel

Challenges in Pathology and Histology Slide Storage

Those who work in pathology labs or other medical settings understand the challenges of storing glass slides. Even though the slides are small, their weight quickly adds up when stored in a box. That makes them difficult to handle and, due to their weight, they could damage the shelves where they’re stored. These boxes also take up a considerable amount of space.

Mandates require hospitals and medical laboratories to implement tissue block and pathology slide storage for a specific timeframe. While the retention timeframe can vary depending on the specimen, this storage can last up to 10 years.

Medical professionals face challenges when storing slides for this length of time. Those challenges include confidentiality, retrieval, storage space, tracking, and weight limitations. Using a vertical carousel helps those in the medical field meet these challenges.

How Vertical Slide Carousels Work

Vertical carousels are automated storage and retrieval systems that stores items in vertically arranged carriers. Slide storage carousels feature standard slide trays that are placed directly onto carriers. The system automatically rotates when an operator requests a slide until the correct tray stops at an ergonomic access counter. Optional inventory management and pick-to-light software are integrated to increase efficiency and accuracy.

General specifications for vertical carousels include:

• Up to 11′ wide rotating shelves
• Up to 33′ high storage machine
• Optional pick-to-light technology
• Optional inventory management software

Vertical carousels are used for several other healthcare applications, including:

• Pharmacy carousels
• Sterile storage carousels
• Hospital supply storage carousels

In addition to slide storage carousels, we offer automated storage for lab specimen slides. This system uses a histology slide sorting machine that scans, sorts, and tracks slides in a database, making them easy to locate and access. The machine can process up to 4,000 slides per shift, saving hours of staff time and reducing human errors. The machine also integrates with existing software and shelving and has a modular design that can scale up to handle large volumes of slides.

BIM Pathology Blood Slide Storage Vertical Carousels

 

Benefits of Vertical Carousels for Slide Storage

Ergonomics

Vertical carousels are 100% ergonomic accessibility to help reduce or eliminate workplace injuries. The carousels eliminate the need for staff to reach up or bend down to lift heavy trays of slides. Instead, the carrier tray slides out of the storage system straight onto an ergonomically positioned work counter.

Each carousel features a workstation at waist height that users can adjust for sitting and standing. These adjustments meet ADA requirements. The workstation’s overhead lighting also increases visibility.

Thanks to the improved ergonomics, slide storage carousels also reduce the risk of damage due to slide mishandling. When staff has to maneuver heavy boxes of slides to or from hard-to-reach shelves, they risk dropping the slides or otherwise damaging them.

Vertical carousels mitigate this risk by providing access to all slide trays at an ergonomic level. Whether facilities need long or short-term slide storage, a vertical carousel can help prevent slide damage while providing better ergonomics and accessibility. Visit our online store to see our healthcare storage products.

Productivity

Vertical carousels improve efficiency and productivity by reducing the time it takes to locate and retrieve a needed sample. With vertical carousels, there’s no need for staff to walk and search for slides. By bringing the required slide directly to the operator, these automated storage systems save staff members a considerable amount of time.

Optional pick-to-light technology further increases efficiency. When a carrier arrives at the access counter, the pick-to-light software directs the operator to the correct tray, speeding up pick time and ensuring accuracy. Overall, vertical slide storage carousels result in up to a 2/3 increase in productivity over standard slide storage methods.

For another way to increase efficiency and lower costs, read about how to eliminate misfiles and automate the filing of glass slides with a slide sorting machine.

Space Savings

It isn’t uncommon to see unused overhead space in medical facilities. Vertical carousels put that space to productive use. Slide storage carousels can extend over 10 feet high, depending on the unit. The carousel’s shelves support the weight of the slides and tissue blocks while increasing slide density. Thus, vertical carousels can save up to 75% of a facility’s floor space compared to traditional slide storage methods.

Security

When it comes to storing blood and tissue samples, security is a factor that should not be overlooked. Vertical slide storage carousels feature locking security doors to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the contents of the storage system. Optional software access control further improves the security of stored slides.

Flexibility

Slide storage carousels come in several different dimensions. For example, medical professionals can choose a carousel featuring anywhere from eight to 31 carriers. Temperature-controlled vertical carousels are also available. Plus, modular systems allow facilities to add on more units or adapt their existing units as storage needs change. This extensive design flexibility allows any medical facility to find a slide storage carousel that meets their needs.