Exposure to blood and body fluids is the most common risk associated in a hematology laboratory.
Bloodborne pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms present in blood causing infection or diseases.
OSHA provides standards to maintain a safe work environment.
Handwashing, food, drink, and medications are not allowed in the laboratory.
Applying cosmetics is prohibited in the laboratory.
Re-usable glassware and plastic items should be placed in a bucket with 2.5% hypochlorite.
Discarded glass and needles should be placed in a special bin for disposal without further handling.
Other discarded materials should be placed in robust plastic bags which should then be sealed and sent to a designated (incinerator) for disposal.
The bucket should be left overnight.
Fomites or any surfaces must be kept away from the mouth and all mucous membranes in the laboratory.
Pipettes should be soaked in 2.5% hypochlorite for 30-60 mins, washed and dried.
Contaminated sharps must be disposed of properly in the laboratory.
Personal Protective Equipment must be worn at all times following the proper donning in the laboratory.
Equipment should be checked and maintained in the laboratory.
A no-smoking policy should be enforced in the laboratory.
Fire extinguishers should be placed every 75 feet, checked monthly, and maintained annually in the laboratory.
A fire detection system and manual fire alarm should be placed near exit doors which is less than 200 ft away and should be tested every three months in the laboratory.
Written fire prevention and response procedures and fire drills should be included in the safety procedures in the laboratory.
Chemicals should be labelled properly, handled, and stored according to requirements, and adequate ventilation should be used in the laboratory.
Spill response procedures should be included in the safety procedures in the laboratory.
MSDS should be available and reviewed by lab personnel in the laboratory.
Laboratory safety requires wearing PPE, removing gloves when using the telephone, covering cuts with a waterproof dressing prior to work, not taking personal items such as combs, cosmetics into the laboratory, never performing any action which may bring your hands into contact with your face, eye or mouth, keeping workbenches clear of clutter, removing lab coat and gloves and washing hands before leaving the laboratory.
Cleaning up breakages or spillage in the laboratory should be done using 10% hypochlorite.
An SOP should have a title page, scope, specimen requirements, specimen reception, safety precautions, equipment and reagent, procedure, quality control procedures, maintenance, and reporting of results.
The Prothrombin Time is a test performed in Hematology.
Precautions during specimen handling include wearing a plastic apron over the coat, wearing a visor or glasses when there is a risk of splashing or aerosol spray, and mouth pipetting is forbidden at all times.
The context of a Standard procedure in Hematology includes calibration and control of basic blood cell counter, quality assurance, and maintenance of semi-automated hematology equipment.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is a document that outlines the steps to be followed in a specific process.
Recovery is the procedure to assess damage, evaluate response, and replenish supplies so that the laboratory can return to normal operation.
SOPs are an essential part of good laboratory practice, maintaining the optimal quality of performance in the laboratory.
Stepping on cords and rolling heavy equipment over cords should be prohibited.
Improper disposal is the major cause of needle prick incidents.
Containers should be puncture-proof.
Preparedness is the design of procedures, identification of resources that may be used, and training in the procedures.
SOPs should be prepared for every analytic test undertaken and for all significant activities related to the practice of laboratory.
Containers should be replaced once they are ¾ full.
The use of adapters, gang plugs, and extension cords is prohibited.
Test procedures include preparation of specimen collection, specimen storage, lab safety, data processing, and handling urgent requests.
SOPs provide guidance for solving problems.
SOP stands for Standard Operating Procedure, a written standard procedure that has been approved by the person in charge.