ANALYSIS OF URINE &

LECTURE: LESSON 1: SAFETY IN CLINICAL MICROSCOPY LABORATORY

CENTRAL LUZON DOCTORS’ HOSPITAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION – LACAYANGA PMS
SAFETY IN CLINICAL MICROSCOPY - Sharp objects must be disposed of in puncture-resistant
LABORATORY
containers
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS:

CHAIN OF INFECTION

- Essential in preventing spread of infection

- Requires a continuous link between
o Source – contaminated specimen or an
infected patient
o Method of transmission – direct contact,
inhalation, ingestion, animal / insect vector
o Susceptible host – infected host then becomes
another source of infection
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
 Chemical spills – best first aid: flush the area with
- Includes gloves, fluid resistant gowns, eye and face large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes then seek
shield, plexiglass countertop shields medical attention.
- When specimens are collected, gloves must be changed o DO NOT NEUTRALIZE CHEMICALS that
between every patient come in contact with the skin
- Fluid-resistant lab gowns with cuffs should be worn
 Chemical handling – acid should always be added to
completely buttoned and gloves should be pulled over
water, mouth pipetting is unacceptable
the cuffs

 Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)

HANDWASHING
- Hand contact is the number one method of infection
transmission (proper order)
DISPOSAL OF BIOLOGICAL WASTES
- All biological waste (except urine) must be placed in
appropriate containers with the biohazard symbol
- Urine maybe discarded by pouring into a laboratory
sink. Sink should be flushed with water after urine
specimens are discarded.
- Disinfection of the sink using a 1:5 to 1:10 dilution of
sodium hypochlorite should be performed on a daily
basis
( Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is a solution
made from reacting chlorine with a sodium
hydroxide solution. the major co-products
from most chlor-alkali cells,they commonly
referred to as bleach, has a variety of uses and
is an excellent disinfectant/antimicrobial
agent.)
- Sodium hypochlorite dilutions are effective for 1 week
after preparation
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health
Administration) requires all facilities that use
hazardous chemicals to have a written CHP
Purpose is to detail the following:
1. appropriate work practices
2. SOP
3. PPE
4. engineering controls (fume hoods, flammable
safety cabinets)
5. employee training requirements
6. medical consultation guidelines
 Chemical labeling – poisonous, corrosive, carcinogenic
o NFPA Hazardous Material Symbol (include
flash points)
 Health Hazard (blue) = NSHED
(normal=0, SI hazardous=1,
hazardous=2, extreme danger=3,
deadly=4)
 Fire Hazard (red) = JCAHO (Joint
Commission on Accreditation of
Health Organizations) = class
ABCDE, PASS, RACE
 Specific Hazard (white)
 Reactivity (yellow)

SHARPS HAZARDS
 o MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) –
information contained in the MSDS includes
the following:
 Physical and chemical characteristics
Page | 2  Fire and explosion potential
 Reactivity potential
 Health hazards
 Methods of safe handling

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

- All electrical equipment must be grounded with three-

pronged plugs
- If electrical shock accidents occur: never touch the
person or the equipment involved, turn off circuit
breaker/ unplug the equipment / move the equipment
using a non-conductive glass or wood object

PHYSICAL HAZARDS

- Avoid running in rooms and hallways

- Watch out for wet floors
- Bend the knees when lifting heavy objects