STAT labs and ED satellite laboratories serve the most time-critical testing in a hospital. A troponin result needed in 30 minutes or a blood gas in 5 minutes means the furniture layout must minimize every wasted step between specimen receipt and result reporting. Labs USA designs and furnishes STAT labs, ED satellite labs, and point-of-care testing (POCT) areas with compact, high-efficiency casework and workstations.
STAT Lab Workstation Design
Compact Core Stations
STAT labs are typically small — 200-600 sq ft — but pack in significant instrumentation:
- Blood gas analyzer bench: Countertop position near the pneumatic tube landing for fastest turnaround
- Chemistry/immunoassay benches: Compact analyzers (i-STAT, Piccolo, or small footprint Roche/Beckman units) on reinforced countertops
- Hematology station: CBC analyzer with slide-making and staining capability
- Coagulation bench: PT/INR and aPTT testing with specimen management space
- Urinalysis area: Dipstick readers and microscopy station
Pneumatic Tube Landing Zone
- Dedicated counter immediately adjacent to the tube system carrier station
- Specimen log-in area with barcode scanner
- Short walk (<10 feet) to centrifuge and analyzers
- Outgoing tube carrier staging for sending samples to the main lab
Result Reporting Station
- Dual-monitor computer workstation for LIS critical value review
- Phone/communication station for calling critical results to ED physicians
- Printer for hardcopy results when electronic reporting fails
ED Satellite Lab Configurations
Some emergency departments operate satellite labs within or adjacent to the ED for the fastest possible turnaround:
- Blood gas + i-STAT combo: Minimal footprint (4-6 linear feet of counter) for ABG, BMP, troponin, lactate
- Full satellite: 10-20 linear feet with chemistry, hematology, coagulation, and urinalysis
- POCT hub: Centralized supply and QC station for ED point-of-care devices (glucometers, rapid strep/flu, pregnancy tests)
Design Priorities
| Priority | Why It Matters | Furniture Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | STAT TATs measured in minutes, not hours | Linear workflow layout — tube station → centrifuge → analyzer → reporting in a straight line |
| Compact footprint | STAT labs occupy expensive ED-adjacent real estate | Under-counter refrigeration, wall-mounted supply storage, mobile carts |
| 24/7 ergonomics | Single-tech staffing on nights/weekends | Adjustable-height benches, task lighting, anti-fatigue mats, seated/standing positions |
| Redundancy | Can’t shut down a STAT lab for maintenance | Backup analyzer space, modular casework for easy equipment swaps |
Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) Furniture
Hospital POCT programs manage devices distributed across the ED, ICU, OR, and nursing units. The central POCT coordination office needs:
- QC and calibration workstation with bench space for multiple device types
- Supply storage shelving for test cartridges, controls, and consumables
- Computer station for POCT middleware management (Telcor, RALS)
- Training and competency assessment area
Related Pages
- Hospital & Clinical Lab Furniture
- Clinical Chemistry Lab Furniture
- Medical Lab Workstations & Benches
- Hospital Lab Renovation
- Healthcare Lab Design & Layout
Get a Free Quote
Tell us your STAT lab square footage and test menu — we’ll design a compact, fast-turnaround layout. Call 800-724-8037 or email us.