Clinical Microscopy 3.

Rub to form a lather, create friction, and loosen

Laboratory Safety Policies and Guidelines debris.
 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC)
 Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA)
 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute
(CLSI)
Biologic Hazards
Chain of Infection
*Infectious Agent (Bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites)
*Reservoir (Humans, animals, fomites, blood/body
fluid, insects)
-Break the link: Disinfection, hand hygiene Thoroughly clean between the fingers and under the
*Portal of Exit: (mouth, nose, mucous membranes, spx fingernails for at least 20 seconds; include thumbs
collection) and wrists in the cleaning.
-Break the link: Sealed biohazardous waste container, 4. Rinse hands in a downward position to prevent
Sealed specimen containers, Hand hygiene, Standard recontamination of hands and wrists.
precautions. 5. Obtain paper towel from the dispenser.
*Mode of Transmission: (Airborne, droplet, contact, 6. Dry hands with paper towel.
vector, vehicle) 7. Turn off faucets with a clean paper towel to
-Break the link: Hand hygiene, Standard precautions, prevent contamination.
PPE, Patient isolation Types of Safety Hazards
*Portal of Entry: (mouth, nose, mucous membrane, 1. Biologic Hazards
skin, unsterile equipment) 2. Sharps
-Break the link: Hand hygiene, Standard precautions, 3. Chemical Hazards
PPE, Sterile equipment 4. Radioactive Hazards
*Susceptible Host: (patients, elderly, newborns, 5. Electrical Hazards
immune-compromised, healthcare workers) 6. Fire/Explosive
-Break the link: Immunizations, Patient isolation, 7. Physical Hazards
Nursery Precautions, Healthy lifestyle
*Biologic Hazards:
Infection Control -Procedures to control and monitor ***Standard Precaution: “Consider all specimen as
infections occurring within the facilities. potentially infectious”
Modes of Transmission Ex: Urine, Blood, Stool, CSF and other body fluids
1. Direct contact: the unprotected host touches *Sharps: *Needle stick injuries
the patient’s specimen, or a contaminated Ex. Broken glass, syringe needle, forceps, blades
object (reservoir) *Chemical Hazards
2. Airborne: inhalation of dried aerosol particles Ex. Preservatives and reagents
circulating on air currents or attached to dust *Radioactive Hazards: Radioisotopes
particles -Pregnant women should not come near to the
3. Droplet: the host inhales material from the Radiation during therapy or examination
reservoir (e.g aerosol droplets from a patient or *Electrical Hazards
an uncapped centrifuge tube, or when -Equipment should NOT be operated with wet hands
specimens are aliquoted or spilled) -Equipment that has become wet should be unplugged
4. Vehicle: ingestion of a contaminated substance and allowed to dry completely before reusing.
(e.g food, water, specimen) *Fire Hazards
5. Vector: from an animal or insect bite
Proper donning of PPE
Proper Handwashing
1. Wet hands with warm water. Do not allow parts
of body to touch the sink.
2. Apply soap, preferably antimicrobial.
 Halon

Clas Electrical Class C Dry

sC Chemicals,
Carbon
Dioxide,
Halon
Clas Combustible None Class A,B,C Sand or Dry
sD Metals Powder,
Dry
Chemicals
Clas Grease, Oils, Class K Liquid
sK Fats designed to
prevent
splashing
and cool
the fire

Physical Hazards
General precautions to consider:
*Avoid running in rooms and hallways
*Watch for wet floors
*Bend the knees when lifting heavy objects
*Keep long hair pulled back
*Avoid dangling jewelry
*Maintain a clean, organized work area
*** Closed-toed shoes that provide maximum support
are essential for safety and comfort.

Sharps Container
-Punctured proof container properly labelled with
“SHARPS”.
-This is for the disposal of needle syringes, scalpels,
blades, etc.

Infectious waste/Yellow trash bin

For wastes that are contaminated with blood and other
Types of Fires and Fire Extinguishers body fluids, wastes that come in contact with the
patient.
Fire Extinguishin Type/Compositio Extinguishe
Typ g Material n of Fire r
General waste-Dry/Black container
e
For general wastes- wastes that are not contaminated
with blood, other body fluids, patients' specimens and
Clas Wood, Class A Water all other hazards.
sA Paper,
Clothing

Clas Flammable Class B Dry

sB Organic Chemicals,
Chemicals Carbon
Dioxide,
Foam or