According to the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA), 70%* of all medical decisions rely on laboratory results, so when it comes to clinical diagnostics, accuracy is paramount.
The quality of purified water is vital to many methodologies and testing protocols performed in clinical labs. Using water that is insufficiently purified can cause potentially dangerous misdiagnoses and inconsistent test results, as well as interruptions to workflow through system downtime. This can lead to increased expenditure in the cleaning and replacement of sensitive lab equipment, along with significant reagent wastage.
Setting the standard for purity
A continual supply of clinical laboratory reagent water (CLRW) is required for diagnostic activities, and there are strict protocols that organisations must adhere to so that water used in testing and analysis meets required purity standards.
The CLRW guideline, set by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), is a widely adopted standard for clinical applications that is endorsed and reinforced by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Essentially, it specifies the purity level for CLRW to mitigate the possibility of key contaminants such as ions, particulates, organics and bacteria impacting on test results and damaging laboratory equipment.
The CLRW specifications are:
- Bacteria < 10 colony-forming units (CFU)/ml
- Inorganics (resistivity at 25°C) > 10 MΩ.cm
- Total organic carbon (TOC) < 500 parts per billion (ppb)
- Particles : 0.2 micron filtration or better
Each of the above contaminants impact on clinical analyzer performance, therefore, it is important to specify a water purification system that will provide reliable, consistent and uninterrupted CLRW water for lab activities.
MEDICA® systems: ensuring water purity and compliance in clinical diagnostics
The MEDICA® range of clinical water purification systems have fulfilled a vital function in diagnostics labs since 1995. Supplying ultrapure CLRW-grade water that is essential for ensuring accurate and reliable results from clinical analyzers, these innovative purification solutions incorporate electrodeionisation and mercury-free UV LED technology to guarantee bacterial control and elimination of impurities.
Key features include:
- Reliability – technologies are designed for uninterrupted workflow, with system uptime aligning with analyzer uptime of 98%
- Certification – fully certified equipment ensures that systems have been thoroughly tested to provide ultrapure water safely and efficiently
- Space saving – compact designs to maximise lab space
- Cost-effective – offering predictable, low running costs, delivering efficient operation and maximum performance
- User-friendly – incorporating new software and touch screen capability for ease of use, whilst supporting all major clinical analyzer manufacturers
- Eco mode – allowing scheduled downtime to extend the life of systems and consumables, as well as energy saving.
The MEDICA® range has been designed to provide peace of mind that your water purity is in good hands, so that diagnostic work can be carried out confidently and seamlessly without interruption.
Selecting a modular system that allows for multiple configurations and expansion to support current and future business needs is key. Look for efficient designs that minimise water and energy consumption, reduce plastic use and chemical waste, and ensure compliance with environmental standards.
Delivering a complete, sustainable purification solution
Veolia’s range of water purification systems offer bespoke, efficient, modular solutions for all types of water purity, laboratory applications, budget and production demands.
Veolia's labwater brand, ELGA, has been working with scientists for over 80 years, providing pure water for laboratories and navigating the challenges that can arise during the development, installation and servicing of purification systems.
We offer a complementary range of services that enable clients to guarantee the operation and continuity of production facilities, extending the lifespan of water purification systems and minimising operational costs.
MEDICA® BIOX is a fluid waste treatment system designed to inactivate biohazards and remove microplastics from clinical analyser wastewater. Developed to support laboratories in meeting increasingly stringent environmental and regulatory requirements, the system delivers biological risk reduction through Log 6 bacterial and Log 4 viral inactivation, while also achieving over 95% removal of nanoplastics ≥60 nm.
Take action today
Ensure diagnostic accuracy with compliant water systems. Download our Clinical Diagnostics Buyer's Guide featuring CLRW compliance checklists, system selection criteria, and validation protocols trusted by leading clinical laboratories worldwide.
*Source: Facts & Figures. The British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA): https://www.bivda.org.uk/The-IVD-Industry/Facts-Figures