LABORATORY SAFETY - SEROLOGY

Laboratory Safety

Prepared by: Austin Jay M. Sto. Domingo, RMT, MLS, DTA

Safety Standards

  • OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration): Ensures safe workplaces for all workers.

  • CLSI (Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute): Nonprofit organization for developing and promoting laboratory standards.

  • CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): Public health protection agency.

  • DOH (Department of Health): National public health agency.

  • PAMET (Philippine Association of Medical Technologists): Professional organization for medical technologists.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

  • Describes hazards, handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals.

  • Information provided by manufacturers about specific chemicals accompanies shipments.

Key Information in MSDS

  • Trade name

  • Chemical name

  • Chemical family

  • Manufacturer’s contact

  • Emergency numbers

  • Hazardous components

  • Physical and fire data

  • Health hazard information

Safety Practices

  • General Safety Adherence: Reduces risk of contamination.

    1. Wear laboratory coats and additional protective gear.

    2. No food or drinks in work areas; label biohazard storage.

    3. Capped specimens in a sealed centrifuge.

    4. Use gauze when opening rubber-stoppered tubes.

    5. Use autodilutors or safety bulbs; no mouth pipetting.

Prevention of Infectious Disease Transmission

  • Standard/Universal Precaution: Treat all human blood and fluids as potentially infectious (including HIV and HBV).

OSHA Guidelines for Bloodborne Pathogens

  • Educate staff on Standard Precautions to prevent infections.

  • Provide necessary protective gear (masks, gloves).

  • Monitor compliance with biosafety policies.

  • Blood is a major transmitter of HIV and HBV in healthcare settings.

Important Facts on Pathogens

  • HBV: Highly concentrated in blood; stable in dried state for up to 7 days at 25°C.

  • HIV: Lower concentrations; retains infectivity in dried state for over 3 days at room temperature.

Transmission Risk Factors

  • Depends on:

    • Viral concentration

    • Contact duration

    • Skin condition of healthcare worker

    • Immune status for HBV.

Safe Work Practices for Infection Control

  • PPE Program Requirements:

    • Hazard assessment and written certification

    • Equipment selection

    • Employee training and competency certification

Protective Techniques

  • Gloves: Sterile for surgeries; non-sterile for others. Change between patients.

  • Facial Barriers: Use masks and face shields to prevent splashes.

  • Laboratory Coats: Should be changed if contaminated.

  • Handwashing: Essential after tasks to prevent microbial transmission.

Decontamination Procedures

  • Use sodium hypochlorite solutions for spill decontamination; effective for HBV and HIV.

  • Follow a specific protocol for handling spills safely and cleaning work areas.

Waste Management

  • Infectious waste labeled and disposed of in biohazard containers.

  • Use color-coded bags for different types of waste (e.g., sharps, infectious waste).

Disease Prevention

  • Immunization Programs: Critical for infection prevention among healthcare workers.

  • Screening Tests for TB: Include Mantoux test and blood tests for detection of infection.

  • Postexposure Prophylaxis: Vaccination and immune globulin for HBV; no vaccine for HCV; specific protocols for HIV exposure management.