Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does Biosafety aim to prevent?
What does Biosafety aim to prevent?
How are Biosafety Levels (BSL) classified?
How are Biosafety Levels (BSL) classified?
What is the purpose of containment in laboratory settings?
What is the purpose of containment in laboratory settings?
What do primary barriers refer to in a laboratory setting?
What do primary barriers refer to in a laboratory setting?
Signup and view all the answers
Which term describes the safe methods, facilities, and equipment for managing infectious materials in a laboratory?
Which term describes the safe methods, facilities, and equipment for managing infectious materials in a laboratory?
Signup and view all the answers
What might be a consequence of not adhering to Biosafety Levels in a laboratory?
What might be a consequence of not adhering to Biosafety Levels in a laboratory?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of Universal Precautions in infection control?
What is the purpose of Universal Precautions in infection control?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of a Biosafety Cabinet in a laboratory?
What is the primary function of a Biosafety Cabinet in a laboratory?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it recommended to use gloves when handling lab samples?
Why is it recommended to use gloves when handling lab samples?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be done in case of spillage of blood or body fluids on laboratory work surfaces?
What should be done in case of spillage of blood or body fluids on laboratory work surfaces?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary reason for using mechanical pipetting devices instead of pipetting by mouth in a laboratory?
What is the primary reason for using mechanical pipetting devices instead of pipetting by mouth in a laboratory?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of controlling access to the laboratory in standard microbial practices?
What is the significance of controlling access to the laboratory in standard microbial practices?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Infection Control and Biosafety
- Universal precautions: an approach to treat all human blood and certain body fluids as if they were infectious for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens.
- Importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, and helmets to protect against infection.
Biosafety Cabinets
- Also known as biological safety cabinets or microbiological safety cabinets.
- Enclosed, ventilated laboratory workspace for safely working with materials contaminated with pathogens requiring a defined biosafety level.
- First became commercially available in 1950.
Infections of Special Concern
- Tuberculosis
- Hepatitis B
- HIV
- Enteric infections
Routes of Infections
- Inoculation
- Ingestion
- Inhalation
Biosafety in Microbiology Labs
- Preventing lab-acquired infections by following universal safety precautions:
- Considering all specimens potentially infectious for HIV and other bloodborne infections.
- Placing specimens in leak-proof impervious containers for transport.
- Wearing gloves when handling samples, especially when contacting body fluids, non-intact skin, or mucous membranes.
- Using face masks, glasses, and gowns when there is a likelihood of spattering.
- Decontaminating laboratory work surfaces immediately after spillage of blood or body fluids.
- Following 'no needle recapping' strategy.
- Collecting and disposing of sharps properly.
- Using mechanical pipetting devices to avoid mouth pipetting.
- Having a system for efficient management of hospital-generated waste.
- Vaccinating laboratory personnel against Hepatitis-B.
- Providing facilities for post-exposure prophylaxis in case of exposure to HIV & HBV.
Standard Microbial Practices
- Controlled access to the laboratory.
- Frequent hand washing.
- Biosafety levels: BSL 1, 2, 3, 4, indicating the level of danger and required precautions.
Containment
- Safe methods, facilities, and equipment for managing infectious materials in the laboratory environment.
- Purpose is to reduce or eliminate exposure of laboratory workers, others, and the outside environment to potentially hazardous agents.
Barriers
- Primary barriers: physical barriers or personal protective equipment for lab workers.
- Secondary barriers: structural aspects of the laboratory that make the working environment safer against infection.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge on biosafety, which involves preventing large-scale loss of biological integrity to protect ecology and human health. Learn about the different biosafety levels (BSL) in labs and the precautions for handling toxic substances.
