Definition of terms:
is an Introduction of chemical, radioactive particles or infectious organisms onto a laboratory surface or into a wound, water, milk, food, or external surface of the body or bandage or any dressings?
what is Sterilisation?
means killing all fungi, parasites, viruses, and bacteria through the use of an autoclave.
What is an Antiseptic?
is a Substance used on humans and other animals that destroy harmful microorganisms or inhibits their activity?
what is a Disinfectant?
is a Substance used on inanimate objects that destroy harmful microorganisms or inhibit their activity?
what are Cultures?
are defined as the media to grow bacteria for laboratory examination.
Cultures include liquid tubes containing broth and solid media.
Antibacterial?
An agent that has a lethal or inhibitory effect on the microbes that causes contamination.
Types of Contaminants.
- Chemicals
- Radioactive particles
- Infectious organisms
Sources of radioactive contaminants:
1. Radioactive emit harmful rays or particles.
2. In higher laboratories, radioactive reagents are used that must be handled with care so that contamination with radioactive particles and rays is minimized.
Sources of infectious organisms in the laboratory
- Laboratory specimens: sputum, serum or plasma, whole blood, stool, urine, unfixed tissue, pus swabs, and other body fluids all can contain infectious organisms.
- Infectious organisms include;
-bacteria,
-viruses,
-fungi and
-parasites.
3. Spillage of harmful powders or liquid chemicals can be harmful to the workers and patients in the laboratory
- Formaldehyde
- Absolute methanol
- Glacial acetic acid
- Concentrated bleach (Jik®)
Controlling Workplace Contamination
1. Frequent hand-washing is important.
- Hands should be washed before starting a procedure and after finishing a procedure.
- After removal of gloves and before having contact with a patient such as in blood collection.
2. Laboratory surfaces and equipment should frequently have contamination removed to destroy chemicals and infectious organisms; “Decontamination”.
3. Frequent decontamination of the following equipment used in laboratory testing is important:
- Glassware
- Plasticware
- Rubber gloves
- Protective clothing
- Equipment
- Instrument
4. Sterilization of the special syringes used to collect body fluids is important.
Control of contamination in the laboratory is by:
- Boiling
- Autoclaving
- Chemical Disinfectant Use
-Boiling should be at 100oC for 20 or 30 minutes will kill fungi, parasites, viruses (including hepatitis and HIV), and some bacteria.
-Autoclaving means using an autoclave to sterilize infectious wastes.
-An autoclave is a machine that uses pressure and high temperature to produce steam at 121oC for 15 minutes with the pressure used to sterilize infectious wastes.
Disinfectants
Chemical Disinfectants: These are chemical substances used to destroy harmful microorganisms or inhibit their activity on inanimate objects such as laboratory benches and other surfaces
-Common disinfectants include; 10% bleach and 5% Lysol ®
-Bleach solution is a 30-35% solution of sodium hypochlorite.
-10% bleach solution (The common brand name of Jik®) is a common laboratory disinfectant.
Concentrated bleach solution.
-Lysol® is a commercially prepared disinfectant containing phenols.
-5% Lysol® solution is used to cleanse laboratory surfaces such as;
- Benches,
- Instrument covers
-To eliminate the most harmful bacteria, viruses, and other micro-organisms.
-5% Lysol is commonly used for disinfection in microbiology laboratory areas.
Lysol
Antiseptics
-Common Antiseptics: 70% methanol and isopropyl alcohol
-70% methylated spirit (absolute methanol) and isopropyl alcohol.
-These two antiseptics are used for cleansing the skin for microbial removal before venous or capillary puncture in blood collection.
Note: A simple hand-washing antiseptic is made with a 2% bleach solution.
Methylated Spirits
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