w10 spec handling and storage

Question 1

3 major areas where spec transport occurs

Answer 1

on site- hospital or clinic to lab
intra laboratory- within the lab 
inter laboratory (offsite)- to reference labs, patient service centres

Question 2

on-site and intra lab rules and guidelines for transport

Answer 2

• routine practices (all specimens infectious)

- WHMIS chemical handling and transport

Question 3

off-site transport

Answer 3

adhere to Transportation of Dangerous Goods TDG - Packaging and handling differ depending on type of specimen- a and b

Question 4

how should biohazardous specimens such as feces, blood or bod fluids be transported

Answer 4

labelled and in containers that protect individuals from contamination

Question 5

How should specimens containing viable organisms be packaged?

Answer 5

• Triple packaged so they can withstand leakage of contents, pressure, temperature changes and rough handle
• primary container-absorbent packing material- secondary bag then a third hard rigid container and labelling

Question 6

where to keep req when transporting

Answer 6

separate from specimen in case of leakage- outside pocket

Question 7

what to do when specimen arrives

Answer 7

• specimen checked against name, number and source on req
• time stamped when they arrive to determine TAT.
• leaky/broken specimen-handle carefully according to routine practices

Question 8

on site chemical delivery/transport

Answer 8

-performed by materials management department

Question 9

pneumatic tube system

Answer 9

tube consisted of evacuated outer tube system.

• item placed in a pod
• pod placed in vacuum and will be pulled throughout hospital once door is closed

Question 10

intra lab transport- chemicals

Answer 10

• avoid spill or breakage

- transport in cart or chemical carrier (carry properly)

Question 11

intra-lab transport biohazard specimens

Answer 11

always transport tubes in a rack to avoid spills or dropping. larger specimens transported on trays or baskets or carts

Question 12

United nations numbers

Answer 12

each dangerous good aligned a UN number which is consistent world wide.
UN 1845- dry ice
UN 2814- infectious substances infecting humans category A
UN 3373- biological substances category b

Question 13

when did canada adopt United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods?

Answer 13

1984- provide uniformity for both domestic and international shipments

Question 14

what are dangerous goods

Answer 14

articles or substances capable of posing risk to health, property or environment

Question 15

how are regulations of TDG written

Answer 15

-all info provided to anyone who handles for transport, transports, takes in goods, or responds to dangerous goods incident

Question 16

4 main areas of TDG

Answer 16

1. manufacturer-properly package and mark products
2. consigner (sender)-ensure all dangerous goods documented properly and all safety marks in place
3. carrier ensure they are transported safely- documentation available, safety marks in place
4. consignee -reciever check parcel intact and documents ignorer before singing receipt

Question 17

why must lab personnel be aware of tdg

Answer 17

1. Transport of chemicals required forlab
2. transport of specimens to one site to another
3. diposal of hazardous waste

Question 18

category A infectious substance

Answer 18

-infectious substance that is transported that if released when it contacts humans or animals it is capable of causing permanent disability or life-threatening or fatal disease to humans or animals

Question 19

category B biological substance

Answer 19

does not meet category A - b includes infectious substances for diagnostic or investigational purposes.
*most specimens fall into this category as they have not yet been tested

Question 20

why is it okay that TDG goes against routine practices

Answer 20

• all biological specimens are treated as they are infectious*
• because in the lab the samples are manipulated but in transport no exposure should occur

Question 21

how much of an infectious material can be in one package

Answer 21

50 ml

Question 22

consigner

Answer 22

sender

Question 23

consignee

Answer 23

receiver

Question 24

legal responsibility of consigner

Answer 24

package and label properly

• decides if infectious or biological
• if A reference made to TDGR packaging and documents are required
• • legally responsible for package until it is accepted (signed) at location
• only responsible if certified, if not certified it is the institutions fault

Question 25

when is person not guilty

Answer 25

when they have done everything reasonable to comply with the act regulations- reviewed by inspectors

Question 26

Triple packaging 1B

Answer 26

for category B substances 650`

1. Primary container (leak proof-tube)
2. reabsorbing material places between primary and secondary package to absorb all liquid in case of leak
3. primary container is placed in leak-proof heavy duty plastic bag or biohazard bag
4. contained with strong rigid outer package (tertiary container)

Question 27

triple packaging 1A

Answer 27

1. primary container (water tight- blood tube)
2. absorbent material placed between primary and secondary packaging to absorb all liquid in case of spill
3. primary container placed in water-tight secondary packaging (intermediate packaging)
4. contained within a very strong outer (tertiary) package of at least 10cm per side -box must pass drop test -9m at 50km/h to a hard surface without breakage -must be penetration resistant to crowbar for 1 metre

Question 28

can you ship something as dangerous goods when it is not?

Answer 28

no, it is unlawful.

Question 29

absorbants

Answer 29

incontinent pads- absorb 400 mL
dry mops( packets of absorbent)
safe t sorbs (sheets that absorb liquid 250mL-400mL)

Question 30

dry ice packaging

Answer 30

UN 1845 904
class 9 dangerous good
"dry ice as refrigerant" must be on documents and it must be declared as a dangerous good for air transport 

consists of CO2 heavier than air, odourless, colourless- must never be placed in a sealed container– explosive — must be packaged to release co2 -poke holes