Lab Setup Mistakes

Many Autism Centers delay or complicate in-house genetic testing by attempting to build a full clinical laboratory rather than a focused CMA workflow room. This often leads to unnecessary investments in lab-grade infrastructure, complex construction and equipment that is not required for Chromosomal Microarray testing. CMA workflows are designed to be compact, efficient and operationally simple. Overbuilding is one of the most common and costly mistakes.

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Another frequent issue is poor room layout and lack of workflow zoning. CMA workflows require clear separation between intake, processing, staging and completion steps. When equipment is placed out of sequence, tasks are compressed into a single area or intake and processing steps overlap, errors and delays become more likely. A well-designed layout minimizes movement, reduces confusion and keeps workflows consistent.

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Centers also struggle when they operate without a clearly defined, step-by-step workflow. CMA testing depends on a linear, repeatable process that staff can follow the same way every time. Without documented sequencing and reset procedures, workflows become inconsistent, slow and error-prone, especially when multiple team members are involved.

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Staffing challenges are another major source of problems. Even though CMA workflows are streamlined, they still require proper training. Assigning untrained personnel or skipping workflow education leads to missed verification steps, improper handling and incorrect room resets. Accuracy depends on consistency, and consistency depends on training.

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Disorganization within the room is a silent efficiency killer. Inadequate storage, unlabeled materials, scattered supplies and inconsistent placement slow down workflows and increase the risk of mistakes. CMA efficiency relies heavily on visual organization and predictable access to materials.

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Equipment placement and power access are often overlooked. Poorly positioned devices, unstable benches, exposed cables or inaccessible outlets interrupt workflow flow and create unnecessary delays. Small setup errors in this area can have outsized operational consequences.

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Many centers also underestimate the importance of documentation and quality control tracking. Skipping intake logs, workflow verification sheets, reset checklists and basic tracking reduces reliability and makes it harder to maintain consistency over time. Documentation supports accuracy, accountability and confidence in results.

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Finally, some centers fail to plan for growth. CMA rooms are built without considering higher testing volumes, expanded workflows or future molecular testing. Others assume any available room will work as-is, only to discover issues with lighting, noise, shared traffic or lack of organization. Without expert guidance, DIY setups often result in inefficient layouts, unnecessary purchases and preventable delays.

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AutismLabSetup.com helps centers avoid these mistakes by designing CMA workflow rooms that are structured, efficient, scalable and staff-ready from day one so your team can focus on delivering faster, more reliable diagnostic results.