Exam 1 (Ch 5 Vocab) Flashcards
Hazard
a condition with the potential for injury
Risk
the probability that a hazard will be activated and produce an injury
Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC)
“hood” allows for containment of splashes or airborne particles
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
gloves, masks, goggles, face shields
Fomite
inanimate objects capable of transmitting infectious organisms
Engineering control
- to isolate or remove an infectious agent from the workplace
- example: isolation room
Isolation room
a room with a vent system using negative air pressure
Biosafety levels
- Four levels, defines level of hazards with a lab
- 1 = least; 4 = most
- Most clinical labs are a “Biosafety Level 2”
- Educational labs are a Level 1
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
literature with hazards, cleanup, etc. info
Exposure control plan
a written document saying how a lab will handle a spill or contamination
Normal flora
- endogenous organisms in the body
- the presence of NF does not mean there is an infection
Disinfection
- can destroy infectious agents
- usually uses chemicals
- does not create sterile environment
- spores often survive and remain behind
Sterilization
- all microbial life is destroyed
- examples: surgery, aseptic technique for blood cultures, wound care
4 methods of sterilization
- Gas sterilization
- Dry heat
- Chemical sterilization
- Steam sterilization (autoclave)
Gas sterilization
- large oven
- takes hours
- used for large items such as wheelchairs
Dry heat
- high temperature
- long exposure time
- used for items that can rust
Chemical sterilization
- uses chemicals
- long exposure time
- used for items too big or heat-sensitive for autoclave
Steam sterilization (autoclave)
- uses steam under pressure
- obtains very high temperatures (up to 121 Celsius)
- to kill spores, requires 121 C for 15 minutes at 15 PSI
Standard precautions
- “Universal Precautions”- released by CDC in 1985
- states that ALL body fluids must be treated as if infectious
- workers must change gloves before advancing to next patient
- workers must wash hands after removing gloves
Nosocomial infection
- an infection which occurs while a patient is in the hospital for a different reason
- sometimes referred to as a Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI)
Infection control
a department responsible to monitor and evaluate HAIs
Quality Assurance (QA)
- planned system to provide confidence that a structure or method will perform correctly
- part of QA is QC
Quality Control (QC)
- ensures that reagents and equipment are working correctly
- Internal and External components
- part of QC is Specimen Integrity
Waste management - what are the 3 different types of waste in the lab?
- Biohazardous waste
- Regular trash
- Sharps
Specimen Integrity
- Is the specimen really what the label says it is?
- Was it collected correctly?
- Is it in the correct container?
- Was it transported correctly and timely?
- It does not matter how accurate your testing is if the specimen being tested is not a quality specimen
2 main inspecting agencies
- CDC
2. OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
ensure safe and healthy working conditions for Americans by enforcing standards and providing workplace safety training
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
- responsible for tracking organisms
- main focus = epidemiology
6 types of laboratory hazards
- Glassware
- Chemical
- Electrical
- Biological
- Fire
- Radiation
Chemical hazard - yellow square indication
Reactivity hazard
Chemical hazard - blue square indication
Health hazard
Chemical hazard - red square indication
Fire hazard
Chemical hazard - white square indication
MIscellaneous hazard
What is meant by biological hazards?
specimens (blood, urine, poo, etc.)
The best method against fire hazards is ___.
prevention
