01 - Laboratory Safety and Healthcare Waste Management Flashcards
Safety in the Clinical Laboratory
What are the types of hazards you encounter in a laboratory?
- Biological Hazard
- Sharps Hazard
- Chemical Hazard
- Radioactive Hazard
- Electrical Hazard
- Fire/ Explosive Hazard
- Physical Hazard
BIOLOGICAL HAZARD
Source:
Possible Injury:
BIOLOGICAL HAZARD
Source(s):
- Infectious agents
Possible Injury:
- Bacterial, Fungal, Viral, Parasitic Infections
SHARPS HAZARD
Source:
Possible Injury:
SHARPS HAZARD
Source(s):
- Needles
- Lancets
- Broken glass
Possible Injury:
- Cuts
- Punctures
- Blood-borne Pathogen Exposure
CHEMICAL HAZARD
Source:
Possible Injury:
CHEMICAL HAZARD
Source(s):
- Preservatives
- Reagents
Possible Injury:
- Exposure to Toxic, Carcinogenic, and Caustic agents
RADIOACTIVE HAZARD
Source:
Possible Injury:
RADIOACTIVE HAZARD
Source(s):
- Equipment
- Radioisotopes
Possible Injury:
- Radiation exposure
ELECTRICAL HAZARD
Source:
Possible Injury:
ELECTRICAL HAZARD
Source(s):
- Ungrounded or wet equipment
- Frayed cords
Possible Injury:
- Burns or Shock
FIRE/ EXPLOSIVE HAZARD
Source:
Possible Injury:
FIRE/ EXPLOSIVE HAZARD
Source(s):
- Bunsen burners
- Organic chemicals
Possible Injury:
- Burns or Dismemberment
PHYSICAL HAZARD
Source:
Possible Injury:
PHYSICAL HAZARD
Source(s):
- Wt floors
- Heavy boxes
- Patients
Possible Injury:
- Falls
- Sprains
- Strains
Sources of biological hazard involving the laboratory usually come from __
patient specimen, including blood products and other body fluids like urine, cerebrospinal fluid, seminal fluid, etc.)
Type of Hazard
Hazard brought about by living organisms infecting and causing diseases to humans ang animals
Biological Hazard
Biological Hazards are present in ___
specimens tested in the clinical laboratory
These are major biological risks
Blood-borne pathogens
Mandates that all laboratory workers must observe the universal precaution
What is the universal precaution?
Occupational Safety Health Act (OSHA)
Universal Precaution: You must treat every specimen as if they are infectious
What are the three (3) main components of the Chain of Infection?
1. Source
- Hand washing
- Bio-hazardous waste disposal
- Decontamination
- Specimen bagging
2. Host
- Standard precautions
- Immunization
- Healthy lifestyle
- Exposure control plan
- Postexposure prophylaxis
3. Transmission
- Hand washing
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Aerosol prevention
- Sterile/ disposable equipment
- Pest control
In the updated “Chain of Infection”, what are its six (6) main components?
- Infectious agent
- Reservoir
3.Portal of Exit - Means of Transmission
- Portal of Entry
- Susceptible Host
Chain of Infection
Infectious Agent
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Parasites
- Viruses
Chain of Infection
Reservoir
- Humans
- Animals
- Insects
- Fomites
- Blood/ body fluids
Break the link
- Disinfection
- Hand hygiene
Chain of Infection
Portal of Exit
- Nose
- Mouth
- Mucous membranes
- Specimen collection
Break the link
- Sealed biohazardous waste containers
- Sealed specimen containers
- Hand hygiene
- Standard precautions
Chain of Infection
Means of Transmission
- Droplet
- Airborne
- Contact
- Vector
- Vehicle
Break the link
- Hand hygiene
- Standard precautions
- PPE
- Patient isolation
Chain of Infection
Portal of Entry
- Nose
- Mouth
- Mucous membranes
-Skin - Unsterile equipment
Break the link
- Hand hygiene
- Standard precautions
- PPE
- Sterile equipment
Chain of Infection
Susceptible host
- Patients
- Elderly
- Newborns
- Immunocompromised
- Healthy lifestyle-care workers
Break the link
- Immunization
- Patient isolation
- Nursery precautions
- Healthy lifestyle
When done correctly, is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases in all settings.
Handwashing
It is the best way to break the chain of infection
Handwashing
The handwashing song.
How many times is it repeated in handwashing?
“Happy birthday” repeated twice
Steps in Doing Handwashing
- Turn on the faucet and wet hands with warm water
- Apply soap, rub to form a lather, create friction, and loosen debris
- Thoroughly clean between the fingers under the fingernails for at least 20 seconds; include thumbs and wrists in the cleaning
- Rinse hands in completely to prevent recontamination of hands and wrists
- Obtain paper towel from the dispenser
- Dry hands with paper towel
- Turn off faucets with a clean paper towel to prevent contamination
Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) include:
- Gloves
- Fluid-Resistant Lab Gowns
- Goggles
- Masks
- Face shields
Personal Protective Equipment
Gloves
- Should be worn when in contact with patients, specimens, and laboratory equipment or fixtures
- When specimens are collected, it must be changed between every patient
Personal Protective Equipment
Fluid-Resistant Lab Gowns
- With cuffs
- Should be worn completely buttoned
- Gloves should be pulled over the cuffs
Personal Protective Equipment
Masks
- Protects the mucous membrane of the eyes, nose, and mouth from specimen, splashes, and aerosols
TRUE OR FALSE
A variety of protective equipment should be available (including goggles, masks, and face shields)
True
Why should particular care be taken when handling specimens?
- To avoid splashes when removing container topics, pouring specimens, and centrifuging specimens
Biological Waste Disposal
ALL biological waste, except ____, must be placed in appropriate containers labeled with the ____.
ALL biological waste, except urine, must be placed in appropriate containers labeled with the biohazard symbol
Biological Waste Disposal
How should you discard a urine sample?
How do you disinfect it after?
Discard urine by pouring it into a laboratory sink, avoid splashing, then flush with water.
Disinfection of the sink using a 1:5 or 1:10 dilution of sodium hypochlorite should be performed daily
Types of Hazard
Sharps Hazard
All sharps, including needles and broken glass, will be disposed of in labeled plastic sharps containers
Sharps Hazard
Should you recap needles after usage?
NO recapping of needles.
Needles may be recapped only by using a mechanical device
Sharps Hazard
Sharp containers must be…
- Closable, puncture-resistant, and leak proof on sides and bottoms
- Labeled “biohazard”
Chemical Hazard
A chemical is considered hazardous if it is determined to be:
[FETCIE]
- Flamable
- Explosive
- Toxic/ Poisonous
- Corrosive
- Iritant
- **E* Environment hazard
2 Equipment in the Clinical Laboratory in case of Chemical Hazards
- Emergency Showers
- Emergency Eye Wash Station
All laboratory personnel should know the location and proper use of emergency showers and eye wash stations
Chemical Hazard
Best first aid for Chemical Spills
Flush the area with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention
Do not neutralize chemicals that come in contact with the skin
Chemical Hazard
Chemical Handling
- Handling acids and water
- Pipetting by mouth
- Acid should always be aded to water to avoid the possibility of sudden splashing caused by rapid generation of heat in some chemical reactions
- Pipetting by mouth is unacceptable in the laboratory
OSHA requires all facilities that use hazardous chemicals to have a written ___ available for all employees.
What is the purpose of this?
Chemical Hygiene Plan
The purpose of the plan is to detail the following:
- Appropriate work practices
- Standard operating procedures
- PPE
4.Engineering controls, such as fumes goods and flammable safety cabinet - Employee training reqiurements
- Medical consultation guidelines
Chemical Hazard
Chemical labeling
Hazardous chemicals should be labeled with a description of their particular hazard, such as poisonous, corrosive, or carcinogenic
This has developed the standard system for the identification of the fire hazard materials.
What is this symbol system used for?
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
This symbol system is used to inform fire fighters of the hazards they may encounter in a particular area
_____ are major biological risks
Blood-borne pathogensbbb
In the NFPA diamond for Hazardous Materials Classification, what does the color red indicate?
Red Quadrant - Fire Hazard
(Flammability)
Flash Points
4 - Below 73 F
3 - Below 100 F
2 - Above 100 F not exceeding 200 F
1 - Above 200 F
0 - Will not burn
In the NFPA diamond for Hazardous Materials Classification, what does the color yellow indicate?
Yellow Quadrant- Instability
*Stability/ Reactivity)
4 - May detonate
3 - Shock & heat, May detonate
2 - Violent chemical change
1 - Unstable if heated
0 - Stable
In the NFPA diamond for Hazardous Materials Classification, what does the color white indicate?
White Quadrant - Specific Hazard
ACID - Acid
ALK - Alkali
COR - Corrosive
OXY - Oxidizer
P - Polymerization
Please review the other symbols
In the NFPA diamond, what does the color blue indicate?
Blue Quadrant - Health hazard
(Health)
4 - Deadly
3 - Extreme danger
2 - Hazardous
1 - Slightly hazardous
0 - Normal material
A document that contains information on the potential hazards (health, fire, reactivity, and environmental) and how to work safely with the chemical product.
What should this document include?
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
It should include:
1. Physical and chemical characteristics
2. Fire and explosion potential
3. Reactivity potential
4. Health hazards and emergency first aid procedures
5. Methods for safe handling and disposal
6. Primary routes of entry
7. Exposure limits and carcinogenic potential
Type of hazard involving X-Rays
Radioactive hazards
Type of Hazards
Electrical Hazard
What are the precautions we need to remember when dealing with this type of hazard?
- All electric equipment must be grounded with three-pronged plugs
- If electric shock accidents occur, 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 Hazard”
If a fire is discovered…
RACE
R[escue] - Rescue anyone in immediate danger
A[larm] - Activate the institutional fire alarm system
C[ontain] - Close all doors to potentially affected areas
E[xtinguish] - Attempt to extinguish the fire, if possible; exit the area
Fire/Explosive Hazard
To operate a fire extinguisher…
PASS
P[ull] - Pull the pin
A[im] - Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
S[queeze] - Squeeze the handle
S[weep] - Sweep the nozzle side to side
NOTE: Know your extinguisher. Use the correct extinguisher (Check its label for detailed instructions)
Type of Fire Extinguisher
Type A
- Type of Hazard
- Type of Extinguisher
TYPE A
Type of Hazard: Ordinary Combustibles
(Cloth, paper, rubbish, plastics, and wood)
Type of Extinguisher:
Water, Dry Chemical, Loaded Steam
Type of Fire Extinguisher
Type B
- Type of Hazard
- Type of Extinguisher
TYPE B
Type of Hazard: Flammable Liquids
(Grease, Gasoline, Paints, and Oil)
Type of Extinguisher:
Dry Chemical, Carbon Dioxide, Foam, Halon
Type of Fire Extinguisher
Type C
- Type of Hazard
- Type of Extinguisher
TYPE C
Type of Hazard: Electrical Equipment and Motor Switches
Type of Extinguisher:
Carbon Dioxide, Dry Chemical, Halon
Type of Fire Extinguisher
Type D
- Type of Hazard
- Type of Extinguisher
TYPE D
Type of Hazard: Flammable Metals
(Mercury, Magnesium, Sodium, and Lithium)
Type of Extinguisher:
Metal X (Should be fought by fire fighters only)
Type of Fire Extinguisher
Type E
- Type of Hazard
- Type of Extinguisher
TYPE D
Type of Hazard: Detonation (Arsenal Fire)
Type of Extinguisher:
Usually allowed to burn out and nearby materials protected
Physical Hazard
General Precautions
- Avoid running in rooms and hallways
- Watch for wet floors
- Bend knees when lifting heavy objects
- Keep long hair pulled back
- Avoid dangling jewelry
- Maintain a clean, organized work area
- Wear closed-toe shoes that provide maximum support and comfort
Healthcare Waste Disposal
Color: Black
What type of waste should be thrown in this container/ bag?
Non-infectious dry waste
Healthcare Waste Disposal
Color: Green
What type of waste should be thrown in this container/ bag?
Non-infectious wet waste (kitchen, dietary, etc.)
Healthcare Waste Disposal
Color: Yellow
What type of waste should be thrown in this container/ bag?
Infectious and pathological waste
Healthcare Waste Disposal
Color: Yellow with Black Band
What type of waste should be thrown in this container/ bag?
Chemical waste, including those with heavy metals
Healthcare Waste Disposal
Color: Orange
What type of waste should be thrown in this container/ bag?
Radioactive waste
Healthcare Waste Disposal
Color: Red
What type of waste should be thrown in this container/ bag?
Sharps and pressurized containers
This is the most significant hazard encountered in the laboratory
Biological Hazard
The best way to break the chain of infection
Handwashing
