Urinalysis Chapter 1 Safety

Biological infectious agents

Includes bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections.

Sharps

Objects like needles, lancets, and broken glass that can cause cuts, punctures, or exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Chemical Hazards

preservatives & reagents

Radioactive equipment + radioisotopes

exposure to radiation

Electrical hazards

Risks from ungrounded or wet equipment, and frayed cords, leading to burns or shock.

Fire / explosive hazards

Dangers from open flames, organic chemicals, causing burns or dismemberment.

Physical hazards

Risks like wet floors, heavy boxes, and patients, leading to falls, sprains, and strains.

Centers for Disease Control + Prevention (CDC)

Agency focusing on disease prevention and control.

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)

Regulatory body ensuring workplace safety and health.

Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)

Organization providing guidelines for lab procedures and policies.

Infection Control

Monitoring and preventing infections within facilities.

Chain of infection

Transmission process involving: infectious agents, reservoirs, portals of exit and entry, means of transmission, and susceptible hosts.

Infectious Agents

Microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses.

Reservoirs

Locations where harmful microorganisms can thrive, including humans, animals, and inanimate objects.

Means of Transmission

Ways microorganisms spread, such as direct contact, airborne, droplets, vehicles, and vectors.

Direct contact

Unprotected host touches the patient, specimen, or a contaminated object

airborne transmission

The spread of an organism in aerosol form.

Droplet transmission

Respiratory or salivary secretions are expelled from infected individual

Vehicle transmission

transmission by contaminated substances (food, water, air)

Vector transmission

transmission of an infectious agent by an insect or animal

Portal of Exit

Point where infectious agents leave the reservoir to continue the infection chain. Example: nose, mouth, blood

Portal of Entry

Point where infectious agents enter a susceptible host. Example: nose, mouth, breaks in the skin

Susceptible Host

Individuals at risk of being infected, including patients, visitors, and healthcare personnel.

Standard Precautions (SP)

Safety measures like hand hygiene, gloves, protective gear, and environmental controls.

Universal Precautions (UP)

Treating all patients as potential carriers of bloodborne pathogens.

Who monitors and enforces the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard Law?

OSHA

What are employers required to provide under the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard Law?

Engineering controls, work practice controls, PPE, and medical services to ALL employees

Postexposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

Immediate actions after exposure to prevent infection, following CDC guidelines.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Gear like gloves, gowns, eye shields, and foot protection to minimize exposure to hazards.

Safety Data Sheet

Document detailing hazardous materials' properties, handling, and emergency procedures.

The Joint Commission (TJC)

Requires evacuation routes and a detailed plan to be posted and followed in case of a fire for all healthcare facilities.

RACE

Acronym for fire response: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Evacuate.

PASS

Acronym for fire extinguisher operation: Pull pin, Aim at the base of fire, Squeeze handles, Sweep nozzle side to side.

Quality Management (QM)

Involves the overall process of guaranteeing quality patient care, including resources needed for quality testing.

Urinalysis Procedure Manual

Must be available in the workplace and include information on slides 54-56.

Preexamination variables

Processes that occur before testing of the sample.

Examples: specimen handing, transport, and storage.

Turnaround Time (TAT)

The amount of time required from when a test is ordered by the healthcare provider until the results are reported, including stat and routine tests.

Examination variables

Processes that directly affect the testing of specimens

Reagents

Substances used in chemical analysis.

Quality Control (QC)

Ensures accuracy, precision, reliability

Individualized Quality Control Plan

Alternative option providing quality testing to meet CLIA regulations.

Personnel and Facilities

Involves education, training, continuing education, competency assessment, performance appraisals, and documenting training.

Postexamination Variables

Processes affecting the reporting of results and data interpretation, including reporting formats and electronic transmissions.