Infection Control in Medical Laboratories

Introduction to Infection Control in Medical Laboratories

Medical laboratories and labs are a primary source and a fertile environment for the transmission of various types of infections, including microbes, viruses, and infectious bacteria that can infect lab workers or clients, subsequently spreading these diseases to families and those surrounding the workers. Therefore, it is essential that medical laboratories and labs adhere to infection control rules and procedures. Workers in medical laboratories deal daily with blood samples, body tissues, and bacteriological culture samples, and they are exposed to mixing with fluids exiting patients' bodies. Patients can also be exposed to infection through the transmission of microbes to them via contaminated tools. Thus, infection control procedures must be followed for both laboratory workers and patients, especially after the spread of laboratories and labs that are not affiliated with hospitals or medical clinics, which are difficult to monitor in terms of facility quality, equipment quality, and the degree of safety for workers and the external environment in general.

Infection Control Instructions in Medical Labs and Laboratories:

The necessity of dealing with patient samples or any secretions exiting patients as a source of infection transmission or an environment for disease spread. The necessity of wearing a laboratory coat while working inside labs and removing it after finishing work is one of the most important infection control procedures. The necessity of wearing medical gloves when dealing with samples or patients in labs, changing them between every procedure, and when performing administrative tasks. Among the most important infection control procedures is wearing a protective nose mask, especially when dealing with patients suffering from chest diseases.   The necessity of wearing eye protection to protect the eyes from contamination by blood spray or any fluid exiting the patient's body. Among the most important infection control instructions in medical laboratories is prohibiting eating, drinking, and smoking inside the labs and allocating specific areas for eating and drinking that are far from areas where patients or samples are handled. Providing first aid supplies inside labs for emergencies.

Reporting to the infection control team when any needle-stick injuries or exposure to inflammatory materials occur, and the affected area must be washed with running water. The necessity of following infection control procedures when segregating and disposing of waste; hazardous waste is placed in designated red bags and then sent to the incinerator, while ordinary waste such as tissues, food remains, and papers are placed in designated bags and then sent to the municipality. Among the most important infection control instructions is the vaccination of all healthcare workers against Hepatitis viruses. The necessity of medical laboratory workers' commitment to following the infection control policy regarding cleaning, sterilization, and disinfection of tools and surfaces. Establishing strict regulations and rules and taking disciplinary actions against anyone who errs or causes a risk of infection to another person's life due to negligence and indifference in handling medical waste.

Protocol for Dealing with Patients During Sample Collection for Infection Control:

• Washing and disinfecting hands before taking the sample.
• Wearing hand gloves during sample collection.
• Using sterile tools when taking blood samples.
• Collecting samples in a clean and sterile place.
• Disinfecting the blood collection site with alcohol.
• Covering the blood collection site with a piece of cotton while applying pressure.
• Ensuring no contamination occurs on the outer surface of the glass tube where the blood sample is placed.
• The presence of a designated container for collecting needles at the blood collection site.
• Closing sample bottles tightly when transferring to the lab.
• Placing sample bottles in special containers to prevent spilling during transport.
• When taking samples from isolation patients, samples must be placed in a separate bag with a hazard label attached.
• When dealing with needles, it is prohibited to recap them, remove them from syringes, or hold them by hand. When disposing of used needles, syringes, and sharps, they must be segregated into puncture-resistant plastic boxes located near the place of use. These boxes must be disposed of when they are 3/4 full or a maximum of one week from the start of use, closed tightly, placed in red bags, and then transferred to the incinerator.

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