In today’s pathology labs, precision, safety, and efficiency aren’t just expectations—they’re requirements. From specimen handling to diagnostic preparation, every step depends on maintaining a clean, compliant, and ergonomic environment. Yet many labs still face challenges, such as limited workspace customization, inconsistent ventilation, and complex workflows that slow productivity.
That’s where advanced workstation design makes all the difference. Modern grossing stations, such as the Mopec Maestro Encore, are made to address everyday challenges by improving airflow management, streamlining workflows, and enhancing the ergonomics and safety of pathology professionals.
What Is A Grossing Station?
A grossing station is a specialized laboratory workstation designed for the examination, dissection, and documentation of diagnostic patient tissue specimens. It provides a controlled and ventilated environment that helps maintain user safety, minimizes exposure to hazardous substances such as formalin, and supports efficient specimen processing.
Grossing stations serve as the central platform for pathologists and pathologists’ assistants, combining essential features such as ventilation, lighting, and integrated specimen photography to enhance documentation and safety in diagnostic specimen handling.
Why Grossing Stations Are Essential In Histopathology
Grossing stations play a vital role in maintaining efficiency, accuracy, and safety within surgical pathology laboratories. They are designed to support the critical first step in diagnostic processing: the macroscopic examination of patient surgical specimens. By providing an intuitive, well-lit, and configurable workspace, Mopec Maestro Encore grossing stations ensure that pathology professionals are empowered to handle each specimen with the precision and consistency needed to preserve tissue integrity and diagnostic quality.
A well-designed grossing station also enhances workflow integrity by centralizing essential tools and controls within easy reach. Features such as adjustable lighting, ergonomic design, and integrated water and ventilation systems help pathology professionals work more comfortably and efficiently. At the same time, effective airflow management protects users from harmful fumes and contaminants, enabling compliance with laboratory and hospital safety regulations.
In short, grossing stations are the foundation of a productive and safe pathology environment. They enable professionals to focus on what matters most: delivering accurate, timely diagnoses that directly impact patient care.
The Core Features Of A High-Quality Grossing Station
A high-quality grossing station is more than just a workspace—it’s the foundation for precision, safety, and workflow efficiency in the pathology lab. Each component is designed to enhance user comfort, maintain specimen integrity, and ensure compliance with safety standards.
Below are the essential features that define a well-engineered grossing station.
Ergonomic Designs
Ergonomic design is central to user safety and efficiency. Height-adjustable platforms, adjustable work surfaces, and configurable accessories designed to enhance storage allow pathology professionals to work comfortably for extended periods. These features reduce strain and fatigue, supporting consistent performance throughout the day.
Advanced Airflow And Ventilation Control
Proper ventilation is one of the most critical elements of any grossing station. Advanced airflow systems direct air from the front to the back of the cutting surface, maintaining a consistent laminar flow. This design minimizes exposure to formalin and other hazardous chemicals, supporting a safer working environment.
Integrated air filtration further enhances performance by preventing dust and debris buildup, maintaining clean airflow, and ensuring compliance with laboratory safety standards.
Easy-To-Clean Work Spaces
Cleanability directly impacts lab safety and risk management. High-quality grossing stations feature stainless steel construction and smooth, corrosion-resistant surfaces that are easy to disinfect and maintain. Sliding or removable work surfaces allow quick cleaning between cases, reducing the risk of cross-contamination. Details such as integrated drainage, sealed edges, and ergonomic sink placement all contribute to maintaining a hygienic, compliant work area.
Adjustable Lighting
Proper lighting is essential for accurate specimen evaluation. Modern grossing stations are equipped with adjustable LED lighting systems that provide bright, shadow-free illumination across the entire work area. Integrated magnification tools or camera systems enhance visual clarity and accuracy in documentation.
Customizable Workspace Configurations
Every pathology lab has unique workflow requirements. High-quality grossing stations allow users to configure their workspace with modular accessories, pegboards, shelving, and ergonomic mounts. Custom configurations help reduce clutter, streamline operations, and support a safer, more organized work environment tailored to each professional’s preferences.
Why Invest in a Professional Pathology Workstation
Pathology is one of the most diagnostically critical areas of medicine, yet it often operates with fewer modern tools than many other clinical environments. As laboratories face growing pressure to improve safety, standardization, and throughput, the grossing bench remains one of the most impactful places to invest.
A professional pathology workstation is more than capital equipment. It is a foundation for safer specimen handling, more efficient workflows, and stronger documentation. As new technologies continue to emerge beyond specimen and cassette photography, a configurable workstation platform allows labs to adopt upgrades over time without having to redesign the entire workspace.
Investing in a modern grossing station supports the daily realities of surgical pathology by improving ergonomics, supporting compliance, enhancing workflow consistency, and helping teams deliver high quality specimens for downstream processing and diagnosis. Below are the key benefits a high quality grossing workstation can bring to today’s pathology laboratory.
Maintain A Safe, Clean Environment
Laboratory safety begins with proper ventilation and contamination control. Advanced airflow systems maintain a consistent laminar flow across the work surface, minimizing exposure to formalin fumes and other airborne contaminants. Combined with integrated filtration and stainless steel construction, these stations promote a cleaner workspace that protects both users and specimens from harmful substances.
Stay Compliant With OSHA And CAP
Meeting industry safety standards is critical for protecting staff, maintaining laboratory accreditation, and supporting consistent day-to-day operations. Professional-grade grossing stations are designed with features that align with OSHA, CAP, and other regulatory expectations, especially when it comes to formalin exposure control and ventilation performance.
Maestro Encore supports compliance through built-in airflow monitoring and backdrafted ventilation designed to keep fumes moving away from the work surface. If airflow is interrupted, users are immediately alerted, providing objective data that helps teams respond quickly and document concerns when ventilation performance changes. Combined with SafeDraft™ Ventilation Technology and an integrated filtration system that helps prevent dust and debris buildup, these features reinforce consistent performance and simplify compliance efforts over time.
Reduce Technician Fatigue And Injury
Pathology professionals spend long hours at the grossing station, making ergonomic support essential. Adjustable-height work surfaces, configurable accessories designed to support natural positioning, and proper task lighting help minimize strain on the neck, shoulders, back, and eyes. These design elements support better posture and reduce unnecessary reaching and repetitive movements, helping staff stay comfortable and productive throughout the workday.
Boost Traceability In Specimen Handling
High-quality grossing stations enhance the precision of specimen handling by providing stable, well-lit, and organized work surfaces. Integrated imaging tools such as PathCam specimen photography support real-time documentation and annotation at the bench, strengthening documentation of prognostically significant macroscopic findings and improving traceability from the start of the case. For biopsy workflows, the Lumea BxCamera adds automated small tissue measurement and documentation, helping streamline biopsy processing while supporting standardized, high-quality records. Together, these capabilities strengthen traceability and risk management by helping ensure specimens are recorded accurately, supporting stronger specimen handling processes and improved patient care.
Common Applications And Use Cases
Grossing stations are essential across a wide range of laboratory environments where accuracy, safety, and efficiency are critical. Their versatility makes them a vital component not only in hospital settings but also in research, forensic, and veterinary applications. Below are some of the most common environments that rely on professional pathology workstations.
- Hospital Surgical Pathology Labs: Facilitate the safe examination and preparation of surgical and biopsy specimens while ensuring consistent tissue handling and diagnostic accuracy.
- Research Facilities: Offer a controlled, contamination-free workspace ideal for tissue analysis, experimental procedures, and method development requiring precise environmental conditions.
- Medical Examiner Or Coroners Laboratories: Support detailed post-mortem examinations and evidence documentation with strong ventilation, durable construction, and advanced imaging capabilities.
- Veterinary Pathology Labs: Enable safe examination of animal tissue samples, combining ergonomic design and adjustable features to accommodate diverse specimen sizes and research needs.
Choosing The Right Pathology Workstation For Your Lab
Selecting the best grossing station for your specific needs is key to creating a safe, efficient, and compliant laboratory environment. The ideal workstation should enhance productivity while meeting your team’s specific ergonomic, ventilation, and workflow needs. Below are the most important factors to consider when evaluating your options.
- Airflow Certifications And Filtration Efficiency: Look for stations with proven ventilation systems and certifications to ensure consistent airflow and protection from formalin exposure. Features such as backdraft ventilation, patented SafeDraft™ technology designed to promote laminar airflow across the cutting surface, and built-in airflow monitoring can provide added confidence by alerting users immediately if ventilation performance is interrupted.
- Built For Shared Workflows And Comfort: Choose a workstation that accommodates users of varying heights with adjustable platforms and ergonomic features that help reduce strain and fatigue.
- Workflow-Driven Configuration And Modular Flexibility: A flexible, modular setup enables customized organization, allowing teams to configure tools, accessories, and shelving to match their preferred workflow.
- Lighting And Camera Integration: Integrated LED lighting and imaging systems support clear visualization and accurate documentation of specimens during gross examination. Platforms that support tools like PathCam specimen photography enable real-time image capture and annotation at the bench, while technologies such as the Lumea BxCamera add automated small tissue measurement and documentation to help streamline biopsy processing and improve traceability.
- Service Support And Warranty Coverage: Reliable service plans and extended warranties protect your investment, ensuring long-term performance and minimal downtime through professional maintenance and support.
How Mopec Maestro Encore Meets Lab Needs
The Mopec Maestro Encore was designed to meet the evolving demands of modern pathology labs by combining safety, ergonomics, flexibility, and innovation into one powerful platform.
Every detail from airflow performance to digital integration reflects Mopec’s dedication to advancing diagnostic accuracy and user protection. Whether your focus is on maintaining compliance, improving comfort, or streamlining digital documentation, the Maestro Encore delivers reliable solutions built around your workflow.
Below are the key ways the Maestro Encore helps laboratories achieve safer, more efficient, and more productive operations.
Certified Airflow And Filtration
Airflow quality is one of the most critical factors in maintaining safety and compliance within a pathology lab. The Mopec Maestro Encore is built with TÜV Rheinland Certified components to ensure consistent, high-performance ventilation that meets international safety standards.
Its SafeDraft™ Ventilation Technology directs air from the front to the back of the cutting surface, creating a controlled laminar flow that minimizes formalin exposure and airborne contaminants. Paired with an Integrated Air Filtration System, the Maestro Encore prevents dust and debris buildup while maintaining smooth, continuous airflow.
Together, these systems work to safeguard users, preserve sample integrity, and maintain a cleaner, more compliant laboratory environment.
Ergonomic Height And Workstation Customization
The Mopec Maestro Encore is engineered with ergonomics at its core to promote comfort, efficiency, and long-term user well-being. Every lab professional works differently, which is why the Encore offers elevating, non-elevating, and countertop models to suit a variety of workflow preferences and laboratory layouts.
Its adjustable height controls allow users to easily adjust workstation levels for sitting or standing, helping reduce fatigue and prevent strain during lengthy procedures. The station’s thoughtful design also places key tools and controls within easy reach, allowing for smooth, uninterrupted work.
With this degree of customization, the Maestro Encore adapts to the individual—not the other way around—ensuring a safer, more comfortable, and more productive experience in every lab setting.
Flexible Workspace Layout And Modular Design
Every pathology lab has its own workflow, and the Mopec Maestro Encore is built to adapt seamlessly. Its modular design allows professionals to configure their workspace for maximum efficiency, organization, and accessibility.
The station features Mopec’s patented Ensemble Pegboard™ system and Ergorail™ track, enabling flexible placement of monitors, keyboards, and instruments. Adjustable shelving, sliding work surfaces, and optional sink configurations allow for easy customization of the setup for specific procedures or team preferences.
This level of flexibility helps maintain a clutter-free environment, supports faster transitions between tasks, and ensures every tool is exactly where it’s needed to optimize both precision and workflow continuity.
Integrated Lighting And Digital Tools
Clear visibility and accurate documentation are essential for high-quality specimen evaluation. The Mopec Maestro Encore enhances both with built-in adjustable LED lighting, providing bright, uniform illumination across the entire work surface. This eliminates shadows and ensures precise visualization, even during detailed dissections.
Beyond lighting, the station integrates advanced digital technology through Mopec PathCam®, a Canon®-powered 24.1 MP imaging system embedded directly into the hood. This design allows for seamless image capture, annotation, and sharing without obstructing workspace visibility.
The PathCam® system connects effortlessly with leading Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) and Electronic Health Records (EHR) platforms, including Epic and Cerner, enabling secure, HIPAA-compliant data management. Together, these tools make the Maestro Encore a complete solution for labs seeking both visual clarity and digital precision.
Reliable Service And Support
Every Mopec Maestro Encore is backed by Mopec’s decades of expertise and commitment to long-term reliability. Through Mopec Certified Service Options, laboratories gain access to professional maintenance, on-site technical support, and post-service warranty coverage designed to keep workstations performing at their best.
Preventive maintenance programs help minimize unplanned downtime, while warranty extensions and service contracts ensure continued protection beyond the standard coverage period. Each visit is performed by Mopec-certified technicians who thoroughly understand the equipment’s engineering and safety standards.
By investing in Mopec’s service and support, you ensure the longevity, performance, and compliance of your grossing station, allowing your team to focus on advancing diagnostic precision and laboratory excellence.
Experience The Benefits Of Maestro Encore In Your Lab
The Mopec Maestro Encore represents the next generation of pathology workstation design, combining safety, efficiency, and innovation into a single, adaptable platform. From its certified airflow system and ergonomic flexibility to its integrated digital tools and modular layout, every feature is crafted to support the evolving needs of modern laboratories.
By investing in the Maestro Encore, your lab gains more than a workstation; it gains a comprehensive solution that enhances comfort, ensures compliance, and streamlines workflow from start to finish. With Mopec’s proven engineering and dedicated service support, you can trust that your team will work safer, smarter, and with greater precision every day.
Upgrade your lab for better safety, efficiency, and precision. See Maestro Encore and explore configurations today.
