Lab Safety Rules Training Manual

Lab Safety Rules:

                                                          The laboratory environment can be hazardous for all workers because they might expose to numerous potential hazards like chemical, biological and physical hazards. To reduce the risks involved with laboratory environment, there are certain procedures & precautions that we all should follow as individuals and a member of a group.

Components of safety:

1. Personal safety
2. General safety

• Chemical safety

• Fire safety

• Electrical safety 

Personal safety:

                         Working in healthcare facilities is associated with an increased risk of exposure to various infectious diseases through blood or body fluids. Thus use of Personal Protective Equipment is very important in laboratory Settings for individual’s personal safety.

Definition of PPE:

                                  Any equipment that is used for personal protection / safety, while working in laboratory is known as personal protective equipment.Following are some examples of PPE:

• N-95 face mask
• Face shields, 
• Goggles
• Lab coats 
• Disposable gloves
• Close shoes

General safety rules:

                 Some rules are NOT made to be broken. The rules used in a Pathological lab are really for your safety and not for your humiliation.

1. Dress Appropriately No sandals, no clothes which get fire easily, no contact lenses, and long pants are preferable to reduced risk.
2. Technologist who do not follow these instruction set themselves or other Lab personal on risk like fire, spill, splash of chemical in the eye, etc.
3. Slippers and open shoes are not allowed. Wear close shoes in the lab.
4. Don't eat or Drink in Lab It is so dangerous because meal can be contaminated from blood, any hazardous chemical or any toxic material which is dangerous for life.

Chemical safety:

1.  Treat every chemical as hazardous substance.
2.  Read Material safety data sheet or labels carefully before handling with chemicals.
3.  Do not haphazardly mix chemicals, it may result in explosion.
4. Do not pipette out any chemical or sample by mouth.
5.  Do not sniff or taste any chemical as it can enter your mouth or lungs.
6.  Prevent contact of any chemical with your skin and clothes.
7. Don’t Casually Dispose of Chemicals down the Drain. Some chemicals can be washed down the drain, while others require a different method of disposal.
8.  Clean up spills immediately.

 

Fire safety:

                    Any fire is serious, it is important to react in a manner that is appropriate For the scale of the fire. Remember that your safety is of primary Importance.

•  In the case that your hair or clothing catches fire ,DO NOT RUN. Use a Fire blanket to turn off that fire.
• For a small fire, a portable fire extinguisher is a very valuable piece of equipment.

 Electric safety:

• Never use high voltage equipment without proper precautions, it might be dangerous. It is better to seek help from any designated personnel.
• Avoid using extension cords whenever possible.
• Before attaching the power supply to your setup make sure there are No “live” wires which can be touched when possible use a box with an interlock.
• When you are adjusting any high voltage equipment or a laser which is powered with a High voltage supply, USE ONLY ONE HAND. Your other hand is best placed in a pocket or behind your back. This procedure eliminates the possibility of an accident where high voltage current flows up one arm, through your chest, and down the other arm.

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College of American Pathologist Laboratory Accreditation Program

 Laboratory Accreditation Program

                                  The CAP's Laboratory Accreditation Program is unlike any other. It’s an engaging, dynamic, collaborative experience that fosters continuous improvement. Top-ranked hospitals prefer this program. Why? Because they help them manage changes in laboratory medicine and technology, as well as the regulatory landscape.

                 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services granted the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program deeming authority, which allows CAP inspection in lieu of a CMS inspection. In addition, the CAP retains deemed status with the Joint Commission, United Network for Organ Sharing, the National Marrow Donor Program, the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapies, and many US state agencies.

Discipline-specific Checklists Simplify Compliance

          Annual checklist updates incorporate the latest best practices. Developed with input from more than 500 pathologists, our checklists provide a clear roadmap for achieving accreditation and running a high-quality laboratory.

The Power of Peer Inspections

      The CAP’s unique peer-inspection model benefits both the laboratories being inspected and the laboratories providing the inspection teams. Our inspection teams are trained, practicing laboratory professionals who understand the workflows and challenges you face because they face them every day as well. In addition, only the CAP offers specialty inspectors for key, high-complexity disciplines.  

Program Benefits

CAP Laboratory Accreditation helps laboratories:

• Maintain accuracy of test results and ensure accurate patient diagnosis.

• Meet required standards from CLIA, FDA and OSHA. CAP requirements commonly              exceed the standards, bolstering patient care and safety.

• Manage rapidly evolving changes in laboratory medicine and technology.

• Exchange ideas and best practices among pathology and laboratory medicine peers.

• Offer professional development and learning opportunities for laboratory staff.

Program Details

• On-site inspections occur every two years using CAP Accreditation Checklists to assess compliance with program requirements.

• Participating laboratories can access the checklists through e-LAB Solutions Suite and non-accredited laboratories may purchase the checklist.

• Peer-based inspection model uses teams of practicing professionals qualified through a CAP inspector training program.

Eligibility Requirements

• The CAP accredits laboratories performing testing on specimens from human beings or animals, using methodologies and clinical application within the expertise of the program.

• Laboratories must be appropriately licensed to perform testing when required by law.

• For international laboratories seeking CAP accreditation, enrollment is required for a    minimum of six months in our EQA/PT prior to requesting an accreditation application.

The Accreditation Cycle

The graphic below captures the accreditation and inspection cycle for CAP-accredited
laboratories. The initial inspection is announced, thereafter, all US inspections are unannounced due to the CAP’s deemed status with the Joint Commission. Subsequent international inspections are announced.

An Image of CAP Accreditation Certificate

Introduction To Medical Laboratory Technology

Introduction

                      A bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences and  board certification as a medical laboratory scientist which is formerly known as Medical Lab Technologist are valuable career assets. For someone with an aptitude in science  and an interest in human health, this is an excellent profession. It combines the application of methods of biology, chemistry, computer, technology, and medicine on a daily basis.

Profession of MLT

                                                 Medical laboratory scientists provide critical information needed for diagnosis, prognosis and management of disease. The work requires exacting precision and accuracy, and it is performed in a fast-paced, highly computerized and technological environment.

                 Medical laboratory scientists analyze blood, body fluids, tissues and cells. They perform routine to high complexity analysis using chemical, biological, hematological, immunological, microscopic and molecular tests. They are required to have a strong background in biology, chemistry and medicine. Medical laboratory scientists evaluate and interpret test results. In today’s laboratories, a medical laboratory scientist is responsible not only for fast and accurate performance of lab tests, but also for quality control, quality assurance, infection control, cost effectiveness, revenue generation and management of human resources. There is a growing need for well-trained medical laboratory scientists to staff and manage the nation’s diagnostic, industrial and research laboratories.

                  Practice of the profession is regulated by a federal law titled “The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act” (CLIA) and the laws of the state in which the laboratory is located. Medical laboratory scientists are responsible for the accreditation of the laboratory as well as the laboratory’s compliance with state and federal regulations. They often serve as consultants to smaller laboratories and physician office laboratories. National certification as a medical laboratory scientist is a highly marketable qualification for employment in a variety of organizations. In Florida, laboratory personnel are required to be licensed by the state and are required to renew their licenses each biennium through documentation of continuing education.

Career Opportunities

                                                     The majority of clinical laboratory professionals work in hospitals. Many others work in healthcare related industries. The biotechnology, environmental, pharmaceutical, and diagnostic products sectors and institutions employ medical laboratory scientists. Medical laboratory professionals also perform tests, supervise and conduct research in environmental, food and chemical manufacturing laboratories. As hospitals merge, opportunities open up for overall management of diagnostic services, including laboratories, medical imaging and pharmacy.

                Jobs are available in infection control and organizational quality management. Pharmaceutical companies recruit lab personnel to evaluate drugs. Laboratory professional are finding employment in industry as risk managers, consultants and product information and customer support specialists. Laboratory personnel with an MLT degree increase their career opportunities by earning the BS degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences. 

Opportunities For Medical Lab Technologist

• Reference Laboratory
• Administration Physician Office Laboratories (POLs) 
• Blood Banks/Transfusion Service Centers
• State and Federal Public Health Labs
• Military and VA Hospitals
• Law Enforcement/Crime Labs
• Toxicology (Drugs of Abuse Testing) Labs
• Food, Water and Environmental Testing Labs
•  Biotechnology Product Development
•  University and Community College Faculty
•  Laboratory Consultants
• Laboratory Information Specialists
•  Pharmaceutical Sales and Research
• Diagnostic Products Sales and Research
• State/Federal Law Compliance Officers
•  Infection Control Officers
• Quality Assurance Managers
• United States Public Health Service
• Hospital Laboratory