Name: Luna De Rosa
Form: GR7
Unit: 4D
Storing and communicating information in a laboratory
Aim
Your manager has asked you to produce a report evaluating the challenges in storing and
communicating the range of information recorded and processed within the laboratory, comparing the
systems in the development laboratory to those in the company’s manufacturing department.
Introduction
In a lab working as a technician in the development department for a pharmaceutical company that
develops and produces new drugs, the lab stores confidential information relating to drug
development. It also stores personal and confidential information relating to volunteers who are used
for drug trials. All of the work carried out in a lab is greatly dependent on communication between
people working in it, which ensures that instructions are given and also received accurately and
applicably[1]. This is extremely important in a scientific workplace as lack of communication in a
science lab between technicians leads to, eg. not getting accurate results and would completely ruin
any kind of experiments or test they carry out. Communication between individuals in a team/group is
vital, making organization and process effective.
Work carried out by workers relies on the arrangement of the team they work in and how each
scientist or technician acts, Workplaces, in general, have a hierarchical structure, meaning that
people with higher titles have stronger authority and right to instruct the workplace, this hierarchy also
usually depend on the mass of people within the team and the processes that are carried out. An
essential part of this as it keeps the balance within the workplace and makes sure everything is well
organized [2]. Following such procedures, the results that are produced will be precise to the certain
workplace, no matter the results and outcomes within the workplace, they must be communicated to
those who must know this information, a vital aspect to the workplace for the reason that
confidentiality is really important especially in a scientific setting, moreover if a scientist has
discovered something new[3]. Alongside this, the types of terminology that are used within a scientific
environment are crucial which are used and understood by members to carry out effective
communication, so that nothing is ever misinterpreted or misunderstood, which could lead to errors
due to this.
There are many different types of ways in which people in the workplace communicate, such as in
meetings. Meetings are an effective way to communicate matters such as decisions and plans with
the workplace, health and safety is usually a great way to talk about in meetings so that it improves
further experiences. Also engages discussion between colleagues about current affairs in the
scientific workplace and other news like any problems while working can be brought up in the
meetings[4]. In all workplaces new people are bound to join or sometimes visitors, inspectors, etc, due
to this, induction is a must. Induction must be provided for new employees/comers so that they are
shown the correct as well as current lab procedures and orders to understand how a specific
workplace runs. Greatly helps them to learn how to carry out procedures within the laboratory and
also allows a clearer state of mind when understanding health and safety regulations as well as
hazards. Another professional way to communicate with colleagues is emailing as it is safe, fast, and
effective. Things such as newsletters and bullet boards/notices inform scientists and other key
workers of topical information that is major to know. Can also be communicated by leaflets as well.
, Laboratories usually display signs around, as they give out principal information in case of an
emergency etc. Usually, these signs are easy to notice, which promotes health and safety. Having
these signs are extremely helpful as imagery is something most people can remember and is
something that draws the eye. Verbal communication is notably the most vital type of communication
as it grants information to be given directly to other workers. This communication is understood more
clearly and further questions and data can be given for clarity if something isn't understood
immediately. Verbal communication is the foremost of communication because it is said directly to the
worker itself, plus if the worker hasn’t understood then they can ask in person straight away. Making
verbal communication in a scientific workplace the rapid type of communication[5].
The importance of data collection, storage in laboratories and the potential issues.
As mentioned, managing data is crucial in the laboratory industry. When data is incorrectly collected
and stored all of its contents is at risk eg. Before analysis, whatever data found could be incorrectly
recorded, it can also disable work from being verified, it can even hinder the processes and research
that need the data to move forward[6]. LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) a type of
software made to track, record and process a large set of data. Most scientists will use it to track
samples through various processes. A pro about this is that it provides a central point for all the data
that has been collected, allowing for the transfer of data and results to other systems. This software
often merges with various types of equipment such as an electrical weighing scale, and some may
schedule analysis, Monitor equipment, transfer results, etc. Not only can this system track important
information about samples, but it can also process when, where, how, and what happened to the
sample during the process[7].
Overall there is a variety of software created specifically for data storage and collection. Some labs
may use a data logger, which is a compact device that allows being connected to a multitude of
instruments to source data and also to transfer this to a computer. Always an easier way to collect
data rather than manually writing everything down. Linking to this sometimes it’s a lot easier just to
write notes on a piece of paper, or forms that need to be signed. Labs in schools and colleges tend to
depend on handwritten records and usually dedicate some time to keep everything organized. The
amount of data that one must collect, store and analyze will have a major effect on deciding which
method is best to manage this. Sometimes if weighing is not vital to the ‘experiment’ or if it does not
necessarily need to be tracked, temporary storage is always a solution. Other factors, like the
importance of the data, the length of time that must be stuck too to save, and how often it needs to
be accessed, usually an impact on how one must collect and store. In many cases, government
regulations can decide how data should be stored and safely kept. Storing and collecting are
important for a laboratory to function properly. There a multitude of ways in which making these
processes quicker, easier, and more efficient with fewer mistakes. If data is correctly handled it offers
many benefits to that laboratory, improving its productivity and ensuring credibility. The potential
issues that can be faced are that online sources can be sometimes easily accessed and information
can be stolen, to avoid this type of issues software engineers have created a platform for these
companies to ensure the safe protection of this sensitive information.
How is it stored?
First, the laboratory has set rules that must be followed to ensure safety among staff and to
themselves. The major regulations are COSHH records (Control of Substances Hazardous to
Health), a record must be kept of any substance that the lab has stored and how dangerous that
chemical may be to someone’s health. Records of any incidents that involved chemicals causing
harm to staff[8]. There is another regulation to be followed, Security and Data Protection Act. This can
include security within the lab, an example of this could be passwords, sensitive information, even
Form: GR7
Unit: 4D
Storing and communicating information in a laboratory
Aim
Your manager has asked you to produce a report evaluating the challenges in storing and
communicating the range of information recorded and processed within the laboratory, comparing the
systems in the development laboratory to those in the company’s manufacturing department.
Introduction
In a lab working as a technician in the development department for a pharmaceutical company that
develops and produces new drugs, the lab stores confidential information relating to drug
development. It also stores personal and confidential information relating to volunteers who are used
for drug trials. All of the work carried out in a lab is greatly dependent on communication between
people working in it, which ensures that instructions are given and also received accurately and
applicably[1]. This is extremely important in a scientific workplace as lack of communication in a
science lab between technicians leads to, eg. not getting accurate results and would completely ruin
any kind of experiments or test they carry out. Communication between individuals in a team/group is
vital, making organization and process effective.
Work carried out by workers relies on the arrangement of the team they work in and how each
scientist or technician acts, Workplaces, in general, have a hierarchical structure, meaning that
people with higher titles have stronger authority and right to instruct the workplace, this hierarchy also
usually depend on the mass of people within the team and the processes that are carried out. An
essential part of this as it keeps the balance within the workplace and makes sure everything is well
organized [2]. Following such procedures, the results that are produced will be precise to the certain
workplace, no matter the results and outcomes within the workplace, they must be communicated to
those who must know this information, a vital aspect to the workplace for the reason that
confidentiality is really important especially in a scientific setting, moreover if a scientist has
discovered something new[3]. Alongside this, the types of terminology that are used within a scientific
environment are crucial which are used and understood by members to carry out effective
communication, so that nothing is ever misinterpreted or misunderstood, which could lead to errors
due to this.
There are many different types of ways in which people in the workplace communicate, such as in
meetings. Meetings are an effective way to communicate matters such as decisions and plans with
the workplace, health and safety is usually a great way to talk about in meetings so that it improves
further experiences. Also engages discussion between colleagues about current affairs in the
scientific workplace and other news like any problems while working can be brought up in the
meetings[4]. In all workplaces new people are bound to join or sometimes visitors, inspectors, etc, due
to this, induction is a must. Induction must be provided for new employees/comers so that they are
shown the correct as well as current lab procedures and orders to understand how a specific
workplace runs. Greatly helps them to learn how to carry out procedures within the laboratory and
also allows a clearer state of mind when understanding health and safety regulations as well as
hazards. Another professional way to communicate with colleagues is emailing as it is safe, fast, and
effective. Things such as newsletters and bullet boards/notices inform scientists and other key
workers of topical information that is major to know. Can also be communicated by leaflets as well.
, Laboratories usually display signs around, as they give out principal information in case of an
emergency etc. Usually, these signs are easy to notice, which promotes health and safety. Having
these signs are extremely helpful as imagery is something most people can remember and is
something that draws the eye. Verbal communication is notably the most vital type of communication
as it grants information to be given directly to other workers. This communication is understood more
clearly and further questions and data can be given for clarity if something isn't understood
immediately. Verbal communication is the foremost of communication because it is said directly to the
worker itself, plus if the worker hasn’t understood then they can ask in person straight away. Making
verbal communication in a scientific workplace the rapid type of communication[5].
The importance of data collection, storage in laboratories and the potential issues.
As mentioned, managing data is crucial in the laboratory industry. When data is incorrectly collected
and stored all of its contents is at risk eg. Before analysis, whatever data found could be incorrectly
recorded, it can also disable work from being verified, it can even hinder the processes and research
that need the data to move forward[6]. LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) a type of
software made to track, record and process a large set of data. Most scientists will use it to track
samples through various processes. A pro about this is that it provides a central point for all the data
that has been collected, allowing for the transfer of data and results to other systems. This software
often merges with various types of equipment such as an electrical weighing scale, and some may
schedule analysis, Monitor equipment, transfer results, etc. Not only can this system track important
information about samples, but it can also process when, where, how, and what happened to the
sample during the process[7].
Overall there is a variety of software created specifically for data storage and collection. Some labs
may use a data logger, which is a compact device that allows being connected to a multitude of
instruments to source data and also to transfer this to a computer. Always an easier way to collect
data rather than manually writing everything down. Linking to this sometimes it’s a lot easier just to
write notes on a piece of paper, or forms that need to be signed. Labs in schools and colleges tend to
depend on handwritten records and usually dedicate some time to keep everything organized. The
amount of data that one must collect, store and analyze will have a major effect on deciding which
method is best to manage this. Sometimes if weighing is not vital to the ‘experiment’ or if it does not
necessarily need to be tracked, temporary storage is always a solution. Other factors, like the
importance of the data, the length of time that must be stuck too to save, and how often it needs to
be accessed, usually an impact on how one must collect and store. In many cases, government
regulations can decide how data should be stored and safely kept. Storing and collecting are
important for a laboratory to function properly. There a multitude of ways in which making these
processes quicker, easier, and more efficient with fewer mistakes. If data is correctly handled it offers
many benefits to that laboratory, improving its productivity and ensuring credibility. The potential
issues that can be faced are that online sources can be sometimes easily accessed and information
can be stolen, to avoid this type of issues software engineers have created a platform for these
companies to ensure the safe protection of this sensitive information.
How is it stored?
First, the laboratory has set rules that must be followed to ensure safety among staff and to
themselves. The major regulations are COSHH records (Control of Substances Hazardous to
Health), a record must be kept of any substance that the lab has stored and how dangerous that
chemical may be to someone’s health. Records of any incidents that involved chemicals causing
harm to staff[8]. There is another regulation to be followed, Security and Data Protection Act. This can
include security within the lab, an example of this could be passwords, sensitive information, even
