Interview with David Gilmore, Equipment Manager, AGENICS LABS:

 

David Gilmore, Equipment Manager
AGENICS LABS - USA
Independent national water testing laboratory
USA (Palmer Lake, Colorado)

"The reliability of the Interscience automats allows us to confidently operate laboratory activities without a second thought. I describe Interscience products as dependable, accurate and easy."

 

Q: How does Interscience Plate & Count system improve the validation process in your dental unit waterlines analysis?
David: The easySpiral platers have simplified our plating process which allowed the laboratory to process more samples in a smaller time period.

With the introduction of the Interscience easySpiral platers we were able to increase the laboratory’s output dramatically, which allowed Agenics Labs to effectively handle a larger customer base. The Scan 4000 also optimized the laboratory and reporting workflow. Prior to the Scan 4000 the laboratory would manually record colony counts and input the data into a LIMS system.

The Scan 4000 reduced analysis and reporting times immensely. The further optimization allowed the laboratory team to explore new methods for Agenics Labs.

In our laboratory the easySpiral platers are used to plate customer samples onto agar plates. After incubation, those plates are then analyzed with the Scan 4000 and the Interscience generated report is sent to our customers. Automation was a necessity to optimize our workflow and create reliably consistent results.

Q: What do you like most about the Plate & Count system?
David: The greatest aspect of the easySpiral Plater is the ease of use. Operation of the plater only requires one or two buttons to press to plate a sample. The fluidics system is simple and accessible, allowing the laboratory to easily clean tubing, filters and connections. The maintenance of the machine is simple and consistently effective.

To Agenics the most influential aspect of the Scan 4000 is the PDF summary report, which is by far the most useful tool when assisting our customers.

Another bonus of the Scan 4000 is the durability and consistency. After 2 years of use the light bulbs, camera, and transparent stage are all in terrific shape!

Q: Why did you choose Interscience? How would you describe Interscience products?
David: I personally did not make the decision to purchase from Interscience, but I am glad that we did! Much of the laboratory equipment available from other vendors is not suitable for our workloads.

The reliability of the Interscience automats allows us to confidently operate laboratory activities without a second thought. I describe Interscience products as dependable, accurate and easy.

Q: What is your experience with Interscience?
David: Interscience has always been open to help the company with any questions or concerns. For example, we were considering the purchase of a ScanStation. After contacting Interscience with interest in the ScanStation, I was able to organize a meeting, quote, and follow up meeting within a week. The sales team is incredibly receptive to our needs and provided sensible professional recommendations.

Another example is how the sales team optimized our preventive maintenance scheduling. Usually, platers would be sent in for preventive maintenance and it may take some time. An Interscience representative reached out to us and was able to accommodate a new system that would allow the lab to perform all preventive maintenance for all machines in a single day.„

PROTOCOL OF ANALYSIS

Water testing analyses of Dental Unit Waterlines. Testing for heterotrophic bacteria, especially water-based coliforms.

What is your protocol?

• Number of Petri dishes plated: 240 - 1,000/ day
• Dilutions (manual /automatic): automatic using the easySpiral Dilute, automatic plater.
• Microorganisms analyzed: Bacteria, i.e., Coliforms
• Medium: R2A, minimal agar medium
• Colony counting: Scan 4000, automatic end-point colony counter

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