Use and Care of Centrifuges

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Course Objectives
  1. Recite the definition and purpose of a centrifuge
  2. Identify and summarize the types of centrifuges and their functions
  3. Demonstrate proper procedures for safe operation
  4. Review maintenance and care requirements

Course Content
Course Creator: Nichelle Volker RMA
Total CE Hours: 1 Credit Hour 
Pace Course #: 586-2510-25
Key Terms:
  • RCF- Relative Centrifugal Force
  • RPM- Rotations/Revolutions Per Minute
  • PRP- Platelet Rich Plasma
  • PRF- Platelet Rich Fibrin
  • RBC- Red Blood Cells
  • PPE- Personal Protective Equipment

Outline:
  • Principles of centrifugation
    • Define
    •  Function and outcome
    •  Components
      • Rotor/bucket
      •  Lid
      •  Motor
      •  Control panel 
  • Types of Centrifuge
    • Micro-centrifuge 
      • Features
      •  Application
      •  Disadvantages
    •  Hematocrit centrifuge
    •  High-speed centrifuge
      • Features
      •  Application
      •  Disadvantages
    •  Ultra-centrifuge 
      • Features
      •  Application
      •  Disadvantages
    •  Low-speed centrifuge 
      • Features
      •  Application
      •  Disadvantages
    •  Continuous flow centrifuge
      • Features
      •  Application
      •  Disadvantages
    •  Mobile Centrifuge 
      • Features
      •  Application
      •  Disadvantages
  • Applications for centrifugation
    • Medical
    •  Non-medication
    •  Clinical applications
      • Serum and plasma
      •  PRP
      •  PRF
      •  Urine 
  • Procedures for safe operation
    • Pre-use checklist
    •  Safe operation
      • Balancing
      •  Common hazards
      •  Regulatory Agencies 
        • OSHA
        •  CLIA
        •  CAP
        •  CDC
  • Maintenance and Care
    • Routine maintenance 
    • Preventative measures
    •  Disinfection routine
  • Emergency Procedures
    • Spills in a centrifuge
    •  Electrical failure
    •  Rotor failure or mechanical breakdown
    •  Bio-aerosol release
    •  Imbalance events
    •  General safety
      •  Scenario: rotor failure
      •  Scenario: Improper balancing
      •  Scenario: bio-aerosol release
      •  Scenario: Electrical Fire in an Old Centrifuge
      •  Scenario: Bypass of Interlocking Lid
  • Phlebotomist procedures
    • Specimen processing timeline
    •  Consequences of delayed centrifugation
    •  Start of day phlebotomist checklist 
      • Centrifuge readiness
      •  Work area preparation
      •  Specimen transport and processing supplies

 
References: 
  1. PMC Pub Central (2019, June 15). Effect of temperature and time delay in centrifugation on stability of select biomarkers of nutrition and non-communicable diseases in blood samples. National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6559620/
  2. Roxe, D. M. (1990). Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. Butterworth Publishers, a Division of Reed Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK302/
  3. (2021, July 6). Differences in Centrifuges. C & A Scientific. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from https://www.cnascientific.com/differences-in-centrifuges/
  4. Byori, R. (n.d.). [Evaluation and problems of ultracentrifugal technique for separation and analysis of serum lipoproteins: Comparison with other analytical methods]. National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8361044/
  5. (n.d.). Vertical Angle Rotors. Beckman Coulter Life Sciences. Retrieved August 22, 2025, from https://www.beckman.com/centrifuges/rotors/vertical-angle
  6. Yelimeshyn, S. (2025, March 18). What Is a Microcentrifuge? Uses, Tube Types, and Essential Lab Guide. Boston Med Supply. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from https://bostonmedsupply.com/what-is-a-microcentrifuge-uses-tube-types-and-essential-lab-gui 
  7. Anderson, G. R. (2022). A Fundamental Guide to Phlebotomy (E. K. Eaton , Ed.) (p. 105). NHCO- National Healthcare Certification Organization.
  8. OSHA (n.d.). Laboratory Safety Guidance. OSHA.gov. Retrieved September 25, 2025, from https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3404laboratory-safety-guidance.pdf
  9. Pyle-Eilola, A. (2015). Centrifuges: Labs Unsung High Performance Instruments. CLN ARTICLE. https://doi.org/Bench Matters:2015
  10. CDC (2025, September 17). CDC priorities. About CDC. Retrieved September 25, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/about/cdc/index.html
  11. CDC (2020, September 1). Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories. Retrieved September 25, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/labs/pdf/SF__19_308133-A_BMBL6_00-BOOK-WEB-final-3.pdf

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