Laboratory Safety Flashcards
translation of OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
a process that kills all forms of microbial
life, including bacterial spores
sterilization
a process that destroys pathogenic organisms, but not necessarily all microorganisms or spores
disinfection
physical methods of sterilization
- Incineration
- Moist heat
- Dry heat
- Filtration
- Ionizing (gamma) radiation
the most common method of treating
infectious waste
incineration
870 - 980 degrees C
SAFEST method of sterilization
prions are eliminated
used to sterilize biohazardous trash and heat-stable objects
moist heat
15 psi (pounds per square inch)
irreversible denaturation of enzymes and structural proteins
fastest and simplest physical method of
sterilization
The most commonly used steam sterilizer in the microbiology laboratory
gravity displacement type
the to common sterilization temperatures
121 degrees C (250 degrees F)– 15 minutes – media, liquids and instruments
132 degrees C (270 degrees F) – 30 to 60 minutes – infectious medical waste
time and temperature requirement of dry heat method
1.5 to 3 hours
160C to 180C
method of choice for antibiotic solutions, toxic
chemicals, radioisotopes, vaccines, and carbohydrates,
which are all heat sensitive
filtration
HEPA filters – air – filter up to microorganisms larger than 0.3 um
cellulose acetate or cellulose nitrate membrane with a vacuum – solutions
most common chemical sterilant
ethylene oxide (EtO)
used to sterilize HEPA filters in BSCs
formaldehyde vapor
vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide
sterilant used for medical equipment such as bronchoscopes
glutaraldehyde
– sporicidal
cold sterilization uses these reagents
glutaraldehyde
peracetic acid
the physical methods of disinfection
• Boiling at 100°C for 15 minutes — kills vegetative bacteria
• Pasteurizing at 63°C for 30 minutes or 72°C for 15
seconds — kills food pathogens without damaging the nutritional value or flavor
• Using nonionizing radiation such as ultraviolet
(UV) light
Disinfectants used on living tissue (skin)
antiseptics
translation of NFPA
National Fire Protection Association
translation os MSDS
(manufacturers’) Material Safety Data Sheets
the standard provided by OSHA that ensures all laboratory personnel have thorough working knowledge regarding the chemicals that they handle at work
“Employee right to know” standard
RACE
Rescue
Activate
Contain
Extinguish
how often all sockets should be checked for electrical grounding and leakage
at least annually
frequently acquired laboratory infections in clinical microbiology
shigellosis salmonellosis tuberculosis brucellosis hepatits
BHTSS
frequently acquired infections in NON-MICROBIOLOGY laboratory workers
HBV, HCV, HDV, HIV
laboratory personnel that are responsible for ensuring EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN
Laboratory director
Laboratory supervisor
a method wherein infectious wastes are placed in leak-proof plastic bags for sturdiness
double bagging
the standard precautions apply to all bloo and other body fluids except:
sweat
a device that encloses a workspace in a way as to protect workers from aerosol exposure to infectous disease agents
biologic safty cabinet (BSC)
classifications of biosafety cabinets and their specifications
CLASS I BSC:
- sterilizes air that is EXHAUSTED
- negative pressure
- operated with an open front
CLASS II BSC:
-sterilizes air over the infectious material (INSIDE) and the ir EXHAUSTED
-air flows in sheets – vertical laminar flow BSCs
-CLASS IIA: self-contained; 70% of air is recirculated; MOSTLY USED IN MICROBIOLOGY SECTION IN HOSPITALS
-CLASS IIB: air is discharged outside the building; used for radioisotopes, toxic materials, carcinogens
CLASS III:
-completely enclosed
-negative pressure
-most protection for the worker
