SAFETY IN THE CLINICAL HEMATOLOGY: 6.

Replace Clay Slabs for Microhematocrit

tube sealing frequently.
BIOLOGIC HAZARD:
7. Decontaminate sedimentation tube racks
• Blood, urine, feces, spinal fluid, and all other body regularly. (Immediately if leak occurs).
fluids are an example. 8. Unfixed or unstained slides should be
• May contain pathogenic substances. considered infectious.
9. Do not handle needles.
SAFE HANDLING OG BIOHAZARDS: 10. Obtain immediate treatment for
• Greatest concern of all hazards, especially in the accidental and inappropriate contact
field of hematology which deals with blood. with biohazard.
• Possible acquired diseases: Hepatitis and Aids. • Should be reported immediately
• National Committee for Clinical Laboratory to the supervisor to be given
Standards (NCCLS) – published tentative for the appropriate prophylactic
protection of laboratory workers against precautions.
biohazard. 11. Properly dispose of contaminated
laboratory supplies.
• The RULES include:
1. Gloves must be worn when handling • Incineration and autoclave are an
biological specimens. (Latex, option.
polyethylene) • 1:100 bleach for disinfection.
➢ Gloves contain starch powder 12. Disinfect and Clean Biohazards
that may when mixed into the Immediately.
blood (false elevated count). APPROPRIATE STEPS FOR DECONTAMINATION AND
➢ Washing of gloves can be useful DISINFECTION OF SPILLS INVOLVING BIOHAZARDOUS
but some gloves are sticky once MATERIALS
washed with water. 1. Put on a heavy weight puncture-resistant utility
➢ Should not be washed with gloves, a gown, and, if necessary, water
detergents (enhanced impermeable shoes.
penetration of liquid) and
disinfectants (glove 2. Remove any sharp broken objects without
deterioration). touching them by using rigid sheets of
2. Areas of Equipment Used by Personnel cardboard to scrape them up. Discard
cardboard with broken objects in puncture-
Who are Not Gloved Should Not be
resistant biohazard container.
Touched with Contaminated Gloves.
3. Absorb the spill with disposable absorbent
➢ Handwashing between gloves
material (e.g., paper, towels, gauze pads, or
changes is not required. tissue paper wipes).
➢ Contaminated gloves should be 4. Clean spill site of all visible spilled material using
discarded. any aqueous household detergent. This dilutes
3. Wash Hands Immediately if they Become spilled material, lyses erythrocytes, and remove
Contaminated, with or without Gloves proteins.
on. 5. Disinfect spill site using intermediate to high-
4. Do Not Remove Specimen Tube Stoppers level hospital disinfectant such as a dilution of
Until Necessary. household bleach. Wipe down with disposable
➢ Plexiglass shield – used as barrier towels soaked in disinfectant to make site
in between laboratorian and glistening wet. Phenolic disinfectants
blood-sample. acceptable for use on laboratory instrument,
floors, or countertops.
5. Mouth Pipetting is Strictly Prohibited.

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 6. Absorb disinfectant with disposable material or ✓ Initials of the person who prepared the reagent.
allow disinfectant to dry. ✓ Date on which reagent is prepared.
7. Rinse spill site with water to remove odors. Dry ✓ Special requirements for storage and expiration
spill site to prevent slipping. date should be included.
8. Dispose of all contaminated materials used in
cleaning process in a biohazard container. MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS):
• 1:10 for porous surface. ✓ Placed in the carton for describing all information
• 1:100 for hard smooth surfaces (bleach). necessary for the handling of the material
• 500 mg/L solution (1:100) for HBV in 10 mins. And (reagents)
HIV for 2 mins.
• 1% (1:5) dilution of bleach is for large spills SAFE DISPOSAL OF CHEMICALS:
(flooded and mixed) for 20 mins. ✓ Flushed down in the toilet – non-carcinogenic,
NOTE: some bleach corrode metal. dilute acid or alkaline reagents.
✓ Environmental Safety Specialist – contacted for
13. Protective Clothing Should Always Be specific instruction needed for chemical disposal.
worn in the laboratory but never outside
the laboratory. ELECTRIC HAZARDS:
• Frequent laundry is needed if lab ✓ Caused by inappropriate use or maintenance of
coats are not disposable electrical instruments.
(institutional laundry). ✓ Electrical shock, burns, fire explosions.
CHEMICAL HAZARDS: SAFE USE OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT:
➢ Solid, liquid, gas may be ✓ Immediate replacement of frayed wires or
hazardous if transported, electrical connections.
handled, stored, or dispensed ✓ Inspection regularly.
inappropriately. ✓ All equipment must be grounded by 3-pronged
➢ Chemicals can be toxic, plug according to Occupational Safety and Health
flammable, carcinogenic. Act of 1970.
SAFE HANDLING OF CHEMICALS: ✓ Do not operate with wet hands.

• Fume Hood: Toxic/corrosive MECHANICAL HAZARDS:

chemical. • Improper use, storage, disposal of glassware,
• Safety Cabinet: sharp instruments, compressed glass or
Flammable/Explosive. equipment.
• Carcinogenic – capable of causing
mutations leading to cancer. SAFE HANDLING OF MECHANICAL DEVICES:
• Safety Glasses: acid/alkaline • Treat glassware carefully to avoid breakage
solutions. • Needles can be left uncapped and should be
MIXING CONCENTRTED ACID AND WATER: disposed immediately on a puncture-proof bin
(NCCLS).
✓ Acid added to water very slowly. • Compressed gases – not used routinely in
✓ NEVER add water to concentrated acid. hematology laboratory.
✓ Perform always in deep sinks for emergency.
FIRE HAZARDS:
LABELING OF REAGENTS:
• Also known as thermal hazard.
✓ Name and concentration of the reagent.

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 • Improper use of cryogenic substance (stored at a ➢ Apply the tourniquet
very low temperature such as nitrogen) or ✓ 7.5 – 10 (3-4 inches).
substance capable of combustion. ➢ Select Exact Venipuncture Site
• Fire, explosion, or asphyxiation. ➢ Cleanse the area
➢ Inspect the needle
FIRE SAFETY: ➢ Preform venipuncture
• Dry chemical extinguisher – is popular due to its ➢ Release tourniquet
versatility (used in many types of fires). ➢ Position gauze over puncture site
• Fire blanket – for smothering small fires. ➢ Remove needle and apply pressure
• Cryogenic substances are not routinely used. • Specimen Preparation
➢ If syringe used, fill tubes
➢ Discard needle
➢ Label specimens
SPECIMEN COLLECTION: ➢ Transport specimens promptly and
properly
PHLEBOTOMIST:

• Good interpersonal skills (attitude).

• Neat
• Has concern for patient
• Ensure patient confidentiality.

SPECIMEN COLLECTION BY VENIPUNCTURE:

• Most common technique.

INITIAL STEPS:

• Patient identification
➢ Note Isolation Restrictions
➢ Note Patient Dietary Restrictions
✓ Not used for routine
venipuncture.
➢ Reassure Patient
✓ Relieve apprehension.
➢ Verify Paperwork
➢ Position Patient
✓ Patient lying down (- 8% of packed
cell volume) due to hemodilution.
✓ Get out of bed,
hemoconcentration occurs.
• Assemble supplies and Equipment (Venipuncture)
✓ 19,20,21 is commonly used.
✓ 21 recommended for small difficult vein to
prevent from collapsing.
✓ Small needle can cause hemolysis
resulting to hemolyzed blood sample.
✓ Common length is 1-1.5.
➢ Select General Venipuncture Location