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What
should I know when employed in a laboratory?
Consider blood and body fluids from all patients as
infective. Refer to "Universal Precautions" for preventing
transmission of bloodborne infectious diseases.
- Report
immediately a needlestick or sharp injury to a designated person
because if post-exposure chemoprophylaxis is to be implemented, it
should begin preferably within 1 to 2 hours after exposure.
What personal protection should I wear?
Wear gloves:
- when
processing blood or body fluid specimens
- when
handling contaminated articles
- during
cleaning and decontamination procedures
Change gloves after processing specimen.
Wear gowns:
- while
working with potentially infectious material
Wear masks and protective eye wear:
- if
mucous membrane contact is likely
Remove protective clothing before leaving laboratory.
Wash hands:
- after
processing specimens
- after
completing laboratory activities
- after
removing protective clothing
- after
a glove tear or suspected glove leak
- before
leaving laboratory
Do not pipette by mouth.
What precautions should I follow when working with needles and sharps?
- Use
needles only when there is no alternative. Consider needles and sharp
instruments as potentially infective.
- Use
puncture-resistant containers. Label containers.
- Clean
and sterilize reusable syringes before reusing.
- Do
not recap, bend, break or remove needles by hand from disposable
syringes or otherwise handle after use.
When should I decontaminate lab materials
and surfaces?
Laboratory surfaces should be decontaminated:
- After
a spill of blood or body fluid. Disinfect with a 1:100-1:10 dilution
of household bleach in water.
- Before
reprocessing contaminated material used in lab tests.
- When
work activities have been completed.
How should I dispose and
transport contaminated lab test material?
- Place
contaminated lab test material in bags and dispose according to policy
for infectious waste.
- Put
specimen into a sturdy container with secure lid to prevent leaking.
- Avoid
contaminating outside of container and accompanying lab form.
- Place
container in a clear, impervious plastic bag.
Document last updated on May 23, 2000
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