Safety in the Clinical Lab PDF

AUBF LECTURE Safety in the Clinical Lab Juan Paolo S. Capati, RMT, RPh Biological Hazards CHAIN OF INFECTION Transmission of microorganisms Essential in preventing the spread of infection Requires a continuous link between: Source Method of Transmission Susceptible host Biological Hazards CHAI...

AUBF LECTURE Safety in the Clinical Lab Juan Paolo S. Capati, RMT, RPh Biological Hazards CHAIN OF INFECTION Transmission of microorganisms Essential in preventing the spread of infection Requires a continuous link between: Source Method of Transmission Susceptible host Biological Hazards CHAIN OF INFECTION I = infectious agent R = reservoir E = portal of exit M = mode of transmission E = portal of entry S = susceptible host Biological Hazards PREVENTION Personal protective equipment (PPE) Proper handwashing Disposal of biological wastes Biological Hazards 1. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Gloves Laboratory gown Eye and face shields Countertop shield Biological Hazards 2. HANDWASHING HAND CONTACT is the primary method of infection transmission. HANDWASHING is the BEST WAY to break the chain of infection. Biological Hazards HANDWASHING PROCEDURE Wet hands with warm water. Apply antimicrobial soap. Rub to form a lather, create friction, and loosen debris. Thoroughly clean between fingers, including thumbs, under fingernails and rings, and up to the wrist for at least 15 or 20 seconds. Rinse hands in a downward POSITION. Dry with a paper towel. Turn off faucets with a clean paper towel to prevent recontamination. Disposal of Biological Wastes ALL biological waste, except urine, must be placed in appropriate containers labeled with the biohazard symbol. The accepted "BIOHAZARD" label is fluorescent orange. Discard urine by pouring it into a laboratory sink, avoid splashing, and then flush with water. Empty urine containers can be discarded as nonbiologically hazardous waste Disinfection of the sink using a 1:5 or 1:10 dilution of sodium hypochlorite should be performed daily. Disinfection eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores A 1:10 dilution of sodium hypochlorite is prepared by adding 1 part of sodium hypochlorite to 9 parts of water (effective for month; used for disinfecting countertops & spills.) Biohazard Symbol The basic outline of the biohazard symbol is a plain trefoil, which is three circles overlapping each other equally like in a triple Venn diagram with the overlapping parts erased. The diameter of the overlapping part is equal to half the radius of the three circles. SHARP HAZARDS Sharp objects (needles, lancets, broken glassware) Disposed of in puncture-proof containers Phlebotomists should carry these red, puncture-resistant containers in their collection trays An accidental needlestick must be reported to the supervisor RADIOACTIVE HAZARDS When procedures using radioisotopes are performed Exposure to radiation during pregnancy presents a danger to the fetus The best method of radioactive waste disposal is to store the used radioactive material in a locked, marked room until the background count is down to 10 half- lives for radioiodine CHEMICAL HAZARDS CHEMICAL SPILLS BEST FIRST AID: Flush the area with amounts of water for at least 15 minutes then seek medical attention. For alkali or acid burns in the eye, wash out eye thoroughly with running water for 15 minutes DO NOT NEUTRALIZE CHEMICALS that come in contact with the skin. Acid spills on floors can be neutralized and then soaked up with wet rags or spill pillows CHEMICAL HAZARDS CHEMICAL HANDLING ALWAYS ADD ACID TO WATER To avoid sudden splashing An EXPLOSION can occur if water is added to acid CHEMICAL HAZARDS NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CLASSIFICATION Uses numbers from 0 to 4 to classify hazard severity, with 4 representing extremely hazardous YELLOW QUADRANT WHITE QUADRANT Reactivity/Stability Hazard Specific Hazard 0 = Stable 1 = Unstable if heated 2 = Violent chemical change 3 - Shock & heat may deteriorate detonate 4 = May deteriorate / detonate OXY = Oxidizer ACID = Acid ALK = Alkali COR = Corrosive W = Use no water Radiation BLUE QUADRANT RED QUADRANT Health Hazard Flammability Hazard 0 = Normal material 1 = Slightly hazardous 2 = Hazardous 3 = Extreme danger 4 = Deadly 0 = Will not burn 1 = Above 200°F 2 = Below 200°F 3 = Below 100°F 4 = Below 730F ELECTRICAL HAZARDS DO NOT OPERATE equipment with wet hands. All electrical equipment is grounded in a 3-pronged plug to avoid electric shock If electrical shock occurs, never touch the person or the equipment involved. Turn off the circuit breaker Unplug the equipment Move the equipment using a nonconductive glass or wood object FIRE / EXPLOSIVE HAZARDS Flammable chemicals should be stored in safety cabinets and expplosion-proof refrigerator in a remote area. Persons with burning clothes should be wrapped in the blanket to smother the flames. All laboratory personnel must be involved in laboratory fire drills at least annually FIRE / EXPLOSIVE HAZARDS WHEN A FIRE IS DISCOVERED.. R Rescue anyone in immediate danger A Activate the institutional fire alarm system C Close all doors to potentially affected areas E Attempt to extinguish the fire, if possible; exit the area TO OPERATE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER... P PULL the pin A AIM at the base of the fire S SQUEEZE the handles S SWEEP the nozzle side to side FIRE / EXPLOSIVE HAZARDS TYPES OF FIRE AND FIRE EXTINGUISHER FIRE TYPE TYPE OF HAZARD TYPE OF EXTINGUISHER A Ordinary combustibles: paper, cloth, rubbish, plastic, wood Water, dry chemical, loaded steam B Flammable liquids: grease, gasoline, paints, oil Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, halon foam C Electrical equipment and motor switches Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, halon D E K Flammable metals: mercury, magnesium, sodium, Metal X, sand; dry powder; fought by lithium fire fighters only Detonation (Arsenal fire) Allowed to burn out and nearby materials protected Cooking media: grease, oils, fats Liquid designed to prevent splashing and cool the fire A = WATER ABC = DRY CHEMICALS BC = CARBON DIOXIDE BC = HALON PHYSICAL HAZARDS GENERAL PRECAUTIONS: Avoid running in rooms and hallways Watch for wet floors Bend knees when lifting heavy objects Keep long hair pulled back MISCELLANEOUS HAZARDS ERGONOMIC HAZARDS work-related and include strain due to repeated positions CRYOGENIC HAZARDS hazards due to extremely low temperatures MECHANICAL HAZARDS include centrifuges, refrigerators, autoclaves, homogenizers and glasswares Centrifuge accidents or improper removal of rubber stopper from test tubes may produce aerosols QUESTION # 1 Clean fingers and wrists for at least: a. 15 seconds b. 30 seconds c. 45 seconds d. 60 seconds QUESTION # 2 When hands are not visibly soiled: a. Wash hands with soap and water b. Apply sanitizer c. Apply benzalkonium chloride d. Wipe hands with paper towel QUESTION # 3 Yellow quadrant in the NFPA hazard classification: a. Health hazard b. Fire hazard c. Specific hazard d. Reactivity hazard QUESTION # 4 Degree of hazard number 3: a. Slight hazard b. Serious hazard c. Moderate hazard d. Extreme hazard QUESTION # 5 Type of fire for flammable liquids: a. Type A b. Type B c. Type C d. Type D e. Type E f. Type K AUBF LECTURE END Thank you for listening Juan Paolo S. Capati, RMT, RPh