laboratory safety booklet for chss students · college of health and sport sciences laboratory...

LABORATORY SAFETY BOOKLET FOR

CHSS STUDENTS

2019-2020

UNIVERSITY OF BAHRAIN

COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND SPORT SCIENCES

College of Health and Sport Sciences Laboratory Safety Booklet for CHSS Students 2019-2020

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MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES

PROGRAM


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SAFETY IN CLINICAL LABORATORIES

Cardinal safety rules of clinical laboratory:

• Good personal habits.

• Good housekeeping practices.

• Good laboratory techniques.

Types of hazards:

1- Biological hazards:

Blood, urine, feces, CSF and all other body fluids present biologic safety hazards because they

may contain highly infectious and lethally organisms, e.g.: HIV, HBV, HCV, etc..

2- Chemical hazards:

• The chemical reagents that are used can be dangerous if not used properly Solid, liquid, or

gaseous chemicals may be hazardous if transported, handled, and stored. It may have toxic,

flammable, corrosive or carcinogenic properties.

• Chemicals such as acids can cause severe burns and damage to tissues and organs.

3- Electrical hazards:

Are caused by inappropriate use or maintenance of electrical instruments or equipment that can

cause electrical shock, fire, burns, or explosion.

4- Mechanical hazards:

May results from improper use, storage, or disposal of glassware, sharp instruments, or

equipment.

5- Fire hazards:

May results from the improper use or storage of either cryogenic substances, or substances capable

of combustion.


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SAFETY– GENERAL GUIDELINES:

• DO NOT work alone in the lab.

• DO NOT eat, drink, or smoke in the laboratory.

• DO NOT pipette by mouth under any circumstances.

• DO NOT re-cap syringes. Always dispose in appropriate sharps container.

• Ensure any cuts or abrasions are covered with waterproof dressing.

• Open toed shoes are NOT allowed in the laboratory working area.

• Laboratory coats must be warned while working in the laboratory.

• Remove laboratory coat before entering the cafeteria or the administration area.

• Protective gloves should be worn while working in the laboratory bench.

• Disinfect all laboratory work surfaces at the end of each shift and when contaminated.

• Regard all waste disposals as a potential safety or environmental risk and thus dispose of waste

correctly.

• Always discard the infectious specimens or growths in the dedicated containers labelled with

biohazard signs.

• All infectious specimens where aerosols are expected to be produced, must be opened in processed

in the biological safety cabinet.

• Sterilize the reusable glassware before discarding the growth culture broths.

• Infectious specimens containing Biosafety level3 (BSL3) and (BSL4) MUST NOT be processed

to the CHS clinical lab facilities.

• Blood and bone marrow slides must be handled in the same way as blood samples until they are

fixed in methanol, stained, and covered with a cover glass.

• Centrifugation must be performed in sealed centrifuge buckets.

• All staff should be aware of the location of the laboratory fire exits, firefighting equipment, and

first aid kit.

• Make sure all electrical panels are unobstructed and easily accessible. Whenever you can, avoid

using extension cords.

• Electrical equipment should never be operated with wet hands.


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• Wash and dry hands after working at the bench and before leaving the laboratory and immediately

after any contamination.

• DO NOT touch door handles and mobile phone with contaminated gloves or hands.

• NEVER rub your eyes or nose with the contaminated hands.

• DO NOT insert or remove contact lenses.

• DO NOT bite nails or chew on pens.

• In the event of a chemical splashing into your eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush the

affected area(s) with running water for at least 20 minutes.

• Before using any new equipment, it is important to get a better understanding of its proper use

and best practices.

• NEVER try to repair an equipment problem on your own.

• All accidents must be immediately reported to a supervisor [Appendix 1].

• Laboratory glassware should never be utilized as food or beverage containers.

• Notify your lab supervisor of any damaged glassware so it can be properly disposed of.

• All personnel working in the lab must be well informed and trained to safety rules to avoid

accidents.

• NEVER ADD WATER TO CONCENTRATED ACID, pour the more concentrated solution

into the less concentrated – e.g. Add acid to water While handling gases be aware of include

ventilation, safety valves and proper confinement

• NEVER smell or taste chemicals.

• In the event of a chemical splashing into your eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush the affected

area(s) with running water for at least 20 minutes.

• NEVER pour chemicals that have been used back into the stock container

• All chemicals should have the clear labels of their names and hazard category.

• All strong acids and alkalis should be stored separately from each other.

• Aliquots from reservoir bottles of aerosol producing chemicals must be taken in a fume hood.

• Compressed gas cylinders (CO2, anaerobic gas mixture) should be properly chained and stored in

well-ventilated areas.

• Keep only small quantities of flammable chemicals and reagents on laboratory benches and

shelves (not over 500 ml amounts).


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SOME IMPORTANT HAZARD SYMBOLS

Corrosive

A substance that may destroy skin on contact. It causes a burn.

Flammable

A substance that can catch fire easily.

Oxidizing

A substance gives large amount of heat on contact with other substance.

Explosive

A substance that may explode if it comes into contact with a flame or heat.

Harmful

irritant

A substance that may harm or cause irritation in some way.


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Toxic

A substance that is poisonous if swallowed or breathed.

Biohazard

May contain Living organisms that may cause infection.

Radiation

These substances are radioactive.


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Appendix 1

University of Bahrain

College of Health Sciences

Medical Laboratory Sciences Program

Accident Report Form

Name of the student: -----------------------------------

Student’s CPR number

Nationality

Date and time of accident

Nature of the accident Needle prick Burn other

Lab session during which the accident occurs

Name of the lab faculty

HBV History of the Student:

a. Vaccination completed Yes No

a. Date of the last vaccination dose

Specimen information Details :

a. The source of the specimen

b. Lab number of the specimen

c. The viral profile status of the specimen

( to be filled later on )


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RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM


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SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS

FOR LABORATORY AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCES

Purpose:

To assure safety through guiding students and observing the general safety precautions, the radiation dose

received by staff and students during laboratory sessions and clinical rotations.

General Guidelines

All students are expected to learn, regularly practice and become familiar with the use of safety

procedures in the lab and clinical settings, these include:

1. All students shall present a clean, neat appearance and dress in an appropriate manner for a health

care environment. Extreme styles, recreational clothing, excessive jewelry, heavy perfumes, or

excessive make-up shall not be considered appropriate work attire.

2. IDENTIFICATION: All students are required to wear a picture identification badge, provided by

the College, at all times in the clinical setting. The picture and student name shall not be hidden or

obscured in any manner. No other badges, logos etc. are considered appropriate. No arm bands,

novelty buttons/pins, hats shall be permitted.

3. RADIATION MONITORING: Personal Dosimeters shall be worn at all times in the clinical

environment. Personal Dosimeters shall be worn at the collar level outside the lead apron and/or

thyroid shield. Failure to wear your Personal Dosimeter in the clinical environment will result in

dismissal for the day and an absence will be recorded.

4. Hair (including wigs/hair pieces) shall be kept clean and neat. Long hair shall be pulled back from

the face. Hair shall not be abnormal in color (blue, green, purple, flashy colors, etc.). Head scarf

shall be treated similar to hair and to be kept under the white coat. Beards and mustaches are

acceptable if kept clean and trimmed. No hats or baseball caps are allowed.

5. Fingernails shall be well groomed and clean with a maximum length of 1mm before the finger-tip.

Artificial nails and nail tips are prohibited by all clinical affiliates. Nail polish shall not be

abnormal in color (blue, green, purple, flashy colors, etc.).


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6. Jewelry other than wedding/engagement rings and wrist watches are discouraged. No dangling

earrings shall be worn. Visibly pierced body parts other than ears are not acceptable. Loose jewelry

that might constitute a safety hazard should not be worn.

7. All tattoos shall be covered.

8. Shoes shall be kept clean and in good repair. Heals more than 2” in height are not allowed. Shoes

should be appropriate to the work being performed, formal and sports shoes are allowed and should

be non-noise producing. Sandals and slippers are not allowed. The shoe shall be either black or

white in color.

9. When student rotations require entry into sterile environments, i.e. surgery, special procedures

and/or heart catheterization labs, etc., surgical caps designed to cover ALL head and facial hair

shall be worn. Surgical masks and shoe covers shall be worn when appropriate. If special clothing

is required, it is usually provided by the clinical site and will be worn at the clinical site.

(NOTE: Surgical scrub attire is the property of the clinical site; removing it from the site may be

interpreted as stealing).

10. Protective eyewear and/or gloves must be worn when designated by the supervising faculty.

11. All students’ clinical attire shall consist of:

a. Long or short sleeves are acceptable. No sleeveless T-shirts or shirts without collars.

b. T-shirt with abusive language or image or logo is not allowed.

c. Undergarments and socks shall be worn.

d. White lab coat is the official uniform used by the program during the clinical and laboratory

practice however, long sleeved lab coats are preferred.

e. Scrub suits are optional however, if the student wishes to use one then only one two-parts

scrub suit that consists of a short sleeved top and pants or trousers is acceptable with a

unified navy blue (mid-night \blue) color.

Midnight Blue


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f. Heals more than 2” in height are not acceptable

g. No mid-calf or stirrup pants or spandex garments of any type shall be worn.

h. Chest hair, midriff, cleavage, or buttocks shall not be exposed.

i. Personal hygiene should be maintained.

j. Obey to Infection control and Safety rules.

12. Any trainee with a communicable disease must report his health situation to the program

immediately and before going on for any clinical practice. (Refer to point 14 in the monitoring

procedure)

13. Pregnant students must report their pregnancy to the program supported by medical reports that

proves the presence of pregnancy before going for clinical or laboratory practice or dealing with

any sort of ionizing radiations in relation to the study requirements.

14. Students are required to open the clinic at the beginning of the day and prepare the site for

comprehensive patient care procedures. This must be completed 30 minutes before seating the

patient.

15. Patients or visitors may not enter the lab or clinic without authorization. Patients must be escorted

into the lab or clinic by a student or faculty member.

16. Upon completion of procedure, patients and visitors must be escorted from the clinic by a student

or faculty member.

17. No contaminated items may be moved into the lab without first applying standard disinfection

protocol.

18. Students and faculty must wear scrubs or shirts and trousers with a lab coat for lab experiences.

No tight dresses or skirts are allowed.

19. Students and faculty must wear laundered lab coats, clean scrubs or freshly disposable gowns are

used when the policies indicate so, otherwise they are optional only.

20. All exposure control guidelines and protocols established and reported must be strictly adhered to

for all sessions.

21. All health and safety guidelines and protocols established and reported must be strictly adhered to

for all sessions.

22. Lab and clinic equipment must remain clean, disinfected, safe, functioning, and maintained

according to manufacturers’ instructions.


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23. Personal radiation monitoring devices must always be used when being in clinical or laboratory

training.

24. Apply gonadal shielding to all patients of childbearing age and as required.

25. Collimate to limit the radiation beam to the area of interest and to achieve images of optimal quality

26. Observe the patient from the control (protected) or from behind a lead protective screen.

27. If the student must remain in the radiographic room, then a radiation protective wear must be used

and radiation protection policies must be respected.

28. When using lead (or lead free) aprons, the personal radiation monitoring device must be the apron

at collar level

29. Stand as far from patient and X-ray tube as is practical and specified (Inverse Square Law).

30. Observe all regulations which apply to the particular area

31. Protect self, patient and others whenever possible from direct or indirect radiation exposure.

During exposure procedures, students should not:

1. Be in the direct visual line of the radiographic tube or patient

2. Be in the direct line of the x-ray beam even when wearing a lead apron

3. Hold or support a patient or image receptor during the exposure

4. Allow himself/herself, fellow students or any other human being to be

5. exposed for tests or experimentation under any circumstances

Monitoring Procedure:

1. Only authorized users can be present and perform experiments in the radiology Lab.

2. Radiation equipment must be operated according to the operations manual supplied by the

manufacturer and by authorized personals only.

3. Students will not make any exposure in the lab without the support of one of the Program faculty.

When the Program Faculty are not available, the lab must turned off and the door locked.

4. The program has an arrangement with the SMC Dosimetry Service for the analysis of the CHS

Personal Monitoring Devices.

5. The Program coordinates and distributes all radiation monitoring devices for exchange and return.


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6. Radiation monitoring devices must be exchanged and returned to the Program coordinator as

scheduled

7. Radiation monitoring devices should worn by all students on the trunk of the body at sternum or

hip level.

8. During fluoroscopy, the radiation monitoring device should remain at sternum or hip level and

always behind the protective lead apron to record exposures accurately.

9. Radiation monitoring devices must worn by all students when assigned to rotations at clinical

education settings and during Lab sessions.

10. The Personal Monitoring Device must be worn with the front (label side) facing away from the

body with nothing obstructing the front side of the Personal Monitoring Device.

11. Radiation monitoring devices must not kept in the direct sun light, microwave devices, TVs etc.

12. It is the student responsibility to protect the Personal Monitoring Device from heat and humidity

in addition to secure the radiation-monitoring Personal Monitoring Device in a safe place so it will

not be misappropriated or accidentally exposed to radiation.

13. A Radiation Dosimetry report regularly received and reviewed by the program coordinator to

assure that results not exceed established ALARA limits (Doses must NOT exceed National

Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) requirements) with highlighting

possible unusual exposures. Any unusual exposures will be reported immediately for the

appropriate action.

14. Female students must report pregnancies early on. The pregnant student will be required to sign a

consent declares their full responsibility associated for working with ionizing radiations, only at

then, student will be provided with two radiation monitoring devices, one will be worn at the collar

area, while the second is placed at the waist region to monitor the fetus exposure to ionizing

radiations.

15. Radiation systems/equipment must not be operated by unauthorized individuals.

16. Security of keys or passwords must be maintained at all times to prevent unauthorized use of

radiation devices.

17. A radiation sign must clearly posted in each laboratory room.


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PHARMACY PROGRAM


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HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES IN PHARMACY LABORATORY

UNIVERSAL SAFETY RULES:

1. The international biohazard sign should be displayed as needed

2. Pipetting by mouth should be prohibited. Appropriate pipetting aids must be used

3. Eating, drinking and storing food in the lab fridge must not be permitted

4. No mouth operation is permitted. This includes licking labels. Use only self -adhesive labels.

5. The laboratory should be kept neat, clean and free of materials that are not pertinent to the work.

6. Work surfaces must be decontaminated after any spill of potentially dangerous material and at the

end of the lab session.

7. Wash hands thoroughly upon finishing the experiment and before leaving the lab.

8. Lab coats must be worn during work in the lab. The lab coat should not be worn in non – lab areas

such as libraries and cafeteria.

Student Safety Measures:

• The student must keep the lab and the work area clean and tidy.

• The student must not touch any equipment available in the lab without prior permission form the

teacher.

• The student must wear an appropriate protective lab coat.

• The student must wash her/his hands thoroughly before and after the lab work

• Do not consume the products compounded or the chemicals in the lab.

• Safety of the students is of utmost priority in the lab

• Girl student are not allowed to leave their hair open. Hair must be tied into a neat bun, plait or a

pony.

• Hijabs for the girl students must be neatly wrapped and must be in-tact and not allowed to flow

loose.

• Covering the face is strictly prohibited for safety reasons.

• Students must be familiar with emergency exit in the lab and the building, location of fire

extinguishers and fire alarm.


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• Students must gather at the assembly point in cases of emergency.

• Report any accidents, injuries, spillages, breakages to the teacher, however trivial it is.

• Wear disposable latex gloves while compounding to avoid contact with irritant chemicals

• Wash the area thoroughly with tap water in case of accidental spillage of chemicals into the eyes

or any skin surface.


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College of Health Sciences

Pharmacy Program


Name of the student: -----------------------------------

Student’s CPR number

Nationality

Date and time of accident

Nature of the accident Needle prick Burn other

Lab session during which the accident occurs

Name of the lab faculty

HBV History of the Student:

a. Vaccination completed Yes No

b. Date of the last vaccination dose


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PHYSIOTHERAPY PROGRAM


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STANDARD PRECAUTIONS IN HEALTH CARE*

Background

Standard precautions are meant to reduce the risk of transmission of blood borne and other pathogens

from both recognized and unrecognized sources. They are the basic level of infection control precautions

which are to be used, as a minimum, in the care of all patients.

Hand hygiene is a major component of standard precautions and one of the most effective methods to

prevent transmission of pathogens associated with healthcare. In addition to hand hygiene, the use of

personal protective equipment should be guided by risk assessment and the extent of contact

anticipated with blood and body fluids, or pathogens.

In addition to practices carried out by health workers when providing care, all individuals (including

patients and visitors) should comply with infection control practices in health-care settings. The control

of spread of pathogens from the source is key to avoid transmission. Among source control measures,

respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette, developed during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

outbreak, is now considered as part of standard precautions.

Worldwide escalation of the use of standard precautions would reduce unnecessary risks associated with

health care. Promotion of an institutional safety climate helps to improve conformity with recommended

measures and thus subsequent risk reduction. Provision of adequate staff and supplies, together with

leadership and education of health workers, patients, and visitors, is critical for an enhanced safety climate

in health-care settings.

Important advice

• Promotion of a safety climate is a cornerstone of prevention of transmission of pathogens in

health care.

• Standard precautions should be the minimum level of precautions used when providing care

for all patients.

• Risk assessment is critical. Assess all health-care activities to determine the personal protection

that is indicated.

• Implement source control measures for all persons with respiratory symptoms through

promotion of respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.


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Checklist

Health policy

• Promote a safety climate.

• Develop policies which facilitate the implementation of infection control measures.

Hand hygiene

• Perform hand hygiene by means of hand rubbing or hand washing (see detailed indications in

table).

• Perform hand washing with soap and water if hands are visibly soiled, or exposure to spore-

forming organisms is proven or strongly suspected, or after using the restroom. Otherwise, if

resources permit, perform hand rubbing with an alcohol-based preparation.

• Ensure availability of hand-washing facilities with clean running water.

• Ensure availability of hand hygiene products (clean water, soap, single use clean towels, alcohol-

based hand rub). Alcohol-based hand rubs should ideally be available at the point of care.

Personal protective equipment

• ASSESS THE RISK of exposure to body substances or contaminated surfaces BEFORE any

health-care activity. Make this a routine!

• Select PPE based on the assessment of risk:

- clean non-sterile gloves

- clean, non-sterile fluid-resistant gown

- mask and eye protection or a face shield.

Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette

• Education of health workers, patients and visitors.

Covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

• Hand hygiene after contact with respiratory secretions.

• Spatial separation of persons with acute febrile respiratory symptoms.


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Health-care facility recommendations for standard precautions

Key Elements at a Glance

1. Hand hygiene1

Summary technique:

• Hand washing (40–60 sec): wet hands and apply soap; rub all surfaces; rinse hands and dry

thoroughly with a single use towel; use towel to turn off faucet.

• Hand rubbing (20–30 sec): apply enough product to cover all areas of the hands; rub hands

until dry. Summary indications:

• Before and after any direct patient contact and between patients, whether or not gloves are

worn.

• Immediately after gloves are removed.

• Before handling an invasive device.

• After touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, non-intact skin, and contaminated

items, even if gloves are worn.

• During patient care, when moving from a contaminated to a clean body site of the patient.

• After contact with inanimate objects in the immediate vicinity of the patient.

2. Gloves

• Wear when touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, non-

intact skin.

• Change between tasks and procedures on the same patient after contact with potentially

infectious material.

• Remove after use, before touching non-contaminated items and surfaces, and before going

to another patient. Perform hand hygiene immediately after removal.

3. Facial protection (eyes, nose, and mouth)

• Wear (1) a surgical or procedure mask and eye protection (eye visor, goggles) or (2) a face

shield to protect mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth during activities that are

likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions.

4. Gown

• Wear to protect skin and prevent soiling of clothing during activities that are likely to

generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions, or excretions.

• Remove soiled gown as soon as possible, and perform hand hygiene.


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5. Prevention of needle stick and injuries from other sharp instruments

Use care when:

• Handling needles, scalpels, and other sharp instruments or devices.

• Cleaning used instruments.

• Disposing of used needles and other sharp instruments.

6. Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette

Persons with respiratory symptoms should apply source control measures:

• Cover their nose and mouth when coughing/sneezing with tissue or mask, dispose of used

tissues and masks, and perform hand hygiene after contact with respiratory secretions.

Health-care facilities should:

• Place acute febrile respiratory symptomatic patients at least 1 meter (3 feet) away from

others in common waiting areas, if possible.

• Post visual alerts at the entrance to health-care facilities instructing persons with respiratory

symptoms to practice respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette.

• Consider making hand hygiene resources, tissues and masks available in common areas

and areas used for the evaluation of patients with respiratory illnesses.

7. Environmental cleaning

• Use adequate procedures for the routine cleaning and disinfection of environmental and

other frequently touched surfaces.

8. Linens

Handle, transport, and process used linen in a manner which:

• Prevents skin and mucous membrane exposures and contamination of clothing.

• Avoids transfer of pathogens to other patients and or the environment.

9. Waste disposal

• Ensure safe waste management.

• Treat waste contaminated with blood, body fluids, secretions and excretions as clinical

waste, in accordance with local regulations.

• Human tissues and laboratory waste that is directly associated with specimen processing

should also be treated as clinical waste.

• Discard single use items properly.


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10. Patient care equipment

• Handle equipment soiled with blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions in a manner

that prevents skin and mucous membrane exposures, contamination of clothing, and

transfer of pathogens to other patients or the environment.

• Clean, disinfect, and reprocess reusable equipment appropriately before use with another

patient.

* As per the regulation followed by the WHO.


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DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM


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RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR LABORATORY AND CLINICAL

EXPERIENCES

The following rules and regulations must be adhered to by all students and faculty for all laboratory and

clinical experiences throughout the Dental Hygiene curriculum.

1. Personal hygiene practices must be impeccable. No body odor or halitosis is accepted. Scrubs (any

color) and lab coats (white) must be laundered and ironed for each use. No strong perfume, heavy

cosmetics, or nail polish/varnish is allowed. Fingernails must be groomed to the top of the finger

pads.

2. No one with a communicable disease may enter the lab or clinic.

3. Students are required to open the clinic at the beginning of the day and prepare the site for

comprehensive patient care procedures. This must be completed 30 minutes before seating the

patient.

4. Patients or visitors may not enter the lab or clinic without authorization. Patients must be escorted

into the lab or clinic by a student or faculty member.

5. Upon completion of treatment, patients and visitors must be escorted from the clinic by a student

or faculty member.

6. No contaminated items, for example, alginate impressions, may be moved into the lab without first

applying standard disinfection protocol.

7. All lab and clinic sessions are mandatory. No make-up is provided for missed sessions.

8. Students and faculty must wear scrubs or trousers with a lab coat for lab experiences. No dresses

or skirts are allowed.

9. Students and faculty must wear clean scrubs with a freshly laundered lab coat or disposable gown

for clinical sessions.

10. Students and faculty must complete a two-minute handwash upon entering the clinic at the

beginning of the day. A shorter handwash is allowed upon entering the lab.

11. Students and faculty must remove contaminated PPEs before exiting the clinic or lab.

12. Students and faculty must wear trainers or other soft soled footwear for lab and clinical

experiences.

13. Hair must be securely fastened so that it does not touch the collar. No wisps of hair can be loose.

14. No abayas or ghutras can be worn. Hijabs, if worn, must be white.


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15. No jewelry other than a simple wedding band may be worn in lab or clinic. This includes bracelets,

earrings, and necklaces.

16. All exposure control guidelines and protocols established and reported by CDC must be strictly

adhered to for all sessions.

17. Any breach in exposure control guidelines or protocols will result in an automatic grade of zero

for the entire session, including clinical competency test trials.

18. All health and safety guidelines and protocols established and reported by OSHA must be strictly

adhered to for all sessions.

19. Any breach in health and safety guidelines or protocols will result in an automatic grade of zero

for the entire session, including clinical competency test trials.

20. Lab and clinic equipment must be remain clean, disinfected, safe, functioning, and maintained

according to manufacturers’ instructions and within CDC and OSHA guidelines and protocols.

21. All users are required to enter a report and follow-up information in the Maintenance and Repair

Notebook for lab and clinic equipment maintenance and/or repair. The person responsible for

performing maintenance and repairs must be contacted by telephone to report the need for a visit

to our facilities. This communication must be documented in the Maintenance and Repair

Notebook.

22. Students must document and present clinical findings and progress notes to a faculty member

within given timelines.

23. Students must sign patient documentation and secure faculty member’s signature within given

timelines.

24. Students and faculty must complete documentation of Behavioral Guide Points for daily

assessment purposes.

25. Written documentation of the hygienist’s recommendations for a patient must be documented in

writing, clarified and hand delivered to the patient/caregiver.


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NURSING DEPARTMENT


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SAFETY RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR USE OF THE SKILLS LAB

1- Faculty and students must wear lab coats or uniforms during use of the lab.

2- Faculty and students must wash their hands before and after completing procedures.

3- Faculty and students must follow proper safety precautions while using needles and sharp instruments.

4- Used needles must be disposed of properly using the marked yellow, puncture resistant containers.

5- All compressed gas cylinders must be secured and transported according to procedure.

6- All medicines and solutions must be returned to the refrigerator or other proper storage cabinet.

7- Wash hands immediately if you are exposed to medicines or Solutions.

8- Use the red plastic bag for disposal of hazardous waste.

9- Eating, drinking, or smoking is not permitted in the Nursing Skills Lab.

10- All electrical equipment must be left on 24 hours a day so that the equipment is maintained in a

"charged" condition.

11- Do not transfer the equipment from one skill lab to another unless required, please report it to the skill

lab coordinator and return it back after use.

Responsibilities of Faculty Who are Using Nursing Skill Labs

1- For effective utilization of the skill lab, the course Coordinator should inform the skill labs coordinator

by sending the time and schedule before beginning of the new semester.

2- A list of equipment needed for the course should be sent by the course coordinator to the skill lab

coordinator two weeks before beginning of the new semester, so that items can be supplied and

prepared.

3- The regular utilized items are made available in the skill lab present in the cabinets

4- The equipment available in the skill lab should not be transferred from one skill lab to another if it is

required, please report it to the skill lab coordinator and return it back after use

5- All faculty should take proper care of the mannequins/ equipment and should replace them their proper

places or cupboards after use.

6- Leave the skill lab tidy and clean, tables and chairs are to be kept clean and neatly in place and beds

are to be left made and neat.


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7- Handing over should be done with the faculty in charge after using the skill lab. Any breakages or

damages should be reported to the skill lab coordinator immediately

8- All used linen must be kept in the hamper and to be send to the skill lab coordinator with completed

laundry list.

9- Any faculty needs to use the skill lab or any equipment (e.g.; Hemogluco test machine, mannequin,

...etc) for short period should inform the skill lab coordinator at least one week ahead and complete

the equipment request form available with coordinator.

Guideline for the students using Nursing Skill Labs.

1- Skills Labs are designed to prepare students for clinical assignments, therefore all lab sessions are

mandatory.

2- All students must wear the lab coat during the demonstration and practice

3- Wear a watch with a second hand to during Skills Labs practice

4- All students have to bring their procedure manuals when performing nursing skills (demonstration).

5- Any students wish to use the skill lab for any reason, e.g.; for more practice or needs to borrow any

equipment, have to inform either their teacher or skill lab coordinator and coordinator at least two days

ahead. complete the equipment request form available with

6- Return the borrowed equipment/items to the skill lab coordinator after use immediately.

7- Student will be responsible for any breakage or missing of the borrowed item /equipment

8- Any damage or breakage of the equipment should be reported to the skill lab coordinator.

9- All equipment used should be replaced in their proper places cupboards or

10- Leave the skill lab tidy and clean, tables and chairs are to be kept clean and neatly in place and beds

are to be left made and neat.

11- Do not transfer the equipment from one skill lab to another, if it is required, please inform the skill

lab coordinator.


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INTEGRATED SCIENCE DEPARTMENT


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LABORATORY SESSIONS PROCEDURES AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

The following rules are to be followed implicitly in order to ensure smooth running of the lab sessions

as well as for the safety of all persons sharing the laboratory.

It is essential for students, faculty, cleaning and maintenance staff or anyone else using the laboratory

to understand that there can be NO COMPROMISE on any of the following procedures, since any

such compromise will put human safety and life at risk.

1. Instructors and students should be well prepared for each lab session by reading and

becoming familiar with the principles and methods involved. Being familiar with the

exercise reduces the chances of accidents.

2. Instructors and students should be on time. During the first few minutes of the laboratory

session, the instructor may provide verbal instructions. Students should listen carefully to

information concerning special techniques and precautions to be taken during the lab

exercise.

3. Only those materials pertinent to the laboratory work, such as lab manual, lab notebook, and

other lab materials, should be brought to the laboratory workspace. All other items such as

books, laptops and bags should be stored away from the work area. Minimizing clutter lowers

the chance of accidental spillage or contamination. Purses or books should never be kept on

the working table.

4. Lab coats or aprons must be worn at all times while in the laboratory. This acts as a safeguard

to protect your clothes and yourself from microbial contamination and/or spillages of

chemicals and stains.

5. Eating, drinking, or smoking is strictly prohibited in the laboratory. Furthermore, objects

such as pencils should never be placed in the mouth. This limits the risk of infections.

6. Before commencing work with infectious materials, the work area should be disinfected with

chemicals such as 5% Lysol, 5% Savlon, or 10% chlorox bleach. This procedure should be

repeated at the end of the session to ensure that any material deposited on the work surface

is properly disinfected.


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7. The directions listed in each procedure should be followed precisely, and work should

proceed only when these have been understanding clearly.

8. There should be no improvisation of procedures or materials without the approval of the

laboratory instructor. Laboratory users should understand exactly what is supposed to be

done and why.

9. All of the laboratory materials should be handled with care. These materials are often fragile

and expensive to replace. Whenever you have questions about the proper treatment of

equipment, ask the instructor.

10. All the materials being used should be considered as potentially hazardous.

11. Extreme care should be exercised while using sharp instruments in order to avoid cuts.

12. While working with human blood or other human body fluids, special precautions should be

taken to prevent these fluids from contacting one’s skin, mucous membranes, eyes, nose, and

mouth. As instructed by the supervisor, gloves, gowns or aprons should be worn to prevent

such contact.

13. After removing the gloves, hands should be washed thoroughly.

14. Pipetting should never be done by mouth in order to avoid accidental ingestion of cultures

or chemicals, as this can result in harm or disease. Rubber bulbs or mechanical manipulators

should be used with pipettes; and pipettes should be inserted gently since forceful insertion

of the pipette may result in breakage and potential injury.

15. Petri plates should never be opened to smell cultures. This can result in inhalation of

microorganisms and potential infection.

16. The lab should be disinfected with formalin at the end of each semester or more often if

needed. Proper care should be taken to ensure that nobody enters the lab during the

disinfection procedure.


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Storage & organization

1. The work area should be kept clean and materials neatly arranged so that needed items can

be located quickly. This will enable efficient and safe completion of the lab experiment.

2. Any tubes or bottles containing chemicals/solutions, should be labelled so that they can be

identified easily and correctly.

3. All chemicals or solutions should be clearly labeled with the following information: Name

of the solution, its strength, and date of preparation.

4. Reagents should never be stored in flasks; storage bottles should be used for this purpose.

5. All culture material such as petri plates, flasks or bottles containing microorganisms, should

be labeled clearly with student name, class, date and experiment. The instructor/supervisors

name should also be written, so that he/she can be contacted if necessary.

6. Any solution, flask, culture or plate that is found unlabeled, is likely to be discarded.

7. Petri plates should never be stacked more than three high unless they are secured with special

plastic or metal holders. This avoids Petri plates from falling over, opening up, and releasing

microorganisms.

Spillages

1. Warning labels on all chemical reagents should be observed. Manufacturers of chemicals

provide information on the safe use of those chemicals, and how to treat accidental spillages

or contamination.

2. Any accident, injury or damage, however minor or major it may be, should be reported

immediately to the laboratory instructor/supervisor so that prompt and proper action can be

taken.

3. In case of emergency, such as spillage of very corrosive chemical on one’s person, or if one’s

clothing is on fire, the shower in the lab should be used to douse oneself with water. In case

of fire, the fire extinguisher should be used.


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4. Spillage of contaminated material or culture on the table, should be saturated with

disinfectant, covered with a paper towel, and reported immediately to the laboratory

instructor. The area of spillage as well as the surrounding spaces should be disinfected with

the appropriate chemical, under the guidance of the instructor/supervisor.

5. If glass breaks, the area should be contained, and the glass should be cleared away using

great care to avoid cuts. Protective gloves should be used.

Waste disposal

1. Solid material should never be thrown in the sink; waste bins are kept for this purpose. Two

types of waste bins are available:

• Bin with RED or YELLOW plastic bag for discarding infectious material.

• Bin with BLACK bag for discarding non – infectious material.

2. If the red/yellow bags are not available, infectious material should be taken to the S.M.C.

laboratory for proper disposal.

3. Contaminated cotton wool, gauze, paper etc., should be disposed in the bins with RED or

YELLOW garbage bags.

4. Contaminated material such as culture flasks, plates and bottles must be disinfected or

autoclaved before disposal or reuse. Broth cultures should never be poured into sinks

without autoclaving.

5. All material to be autoclaved should be placed in the proper assigned receptacle.

6. Antimicrobial chemicals should be used to decontaminate materials such as used pipettes,

slides and small objects. Such materials should be placed in the container of strong

disinfectant such as 20% Savlon.

7. Under no circumstances should cultures be removed from the laboratory premises.

8. These procedures should be strictly followed in order to minimize the spread of

microorganisms.


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Sharp objects disposal

1. All syringes and needles contaminated with human blood or human body fluids, should

immediately be placed in a puncture-proof, ‘sharps disposal’ container, without recapping,

cutting, or bending the needles.

2. Broken glass should also be disposed in specific containers meant for the purpose. Broken

glass or other sharp objects should never be discarded in the normal trash containers.

3. Contaminated items that need to be washed and reused should be placed in strong

disinfectant solution as soon as the work is concluded. They should never be washed by

students or faculty even if they are needed urgently.

Glassware

1. Uncontaminated glassware should be rinsed with tap water & then immersed in a container

of water, taking care not to allow air bubbles inside. These should be left in the designated

area for proper washing.

2. Contaminated glassware should be dipped in disinfectant solution overnight before

washing.

Gas burners

1. Extreme care should be taken while working with Bunsen burners. To avoid injuries,

burners should be turned off when not in use. When reaching for objects, care should be

taken to prevent the flame from contacting ones hair, skin or clothing. Long hair and loose

clothing should be tied back or protected in some way.

2. Extinguish burners when away from desk. Make sure that all three valves are closed.

3. When flaming an inoculating loop, always place the loop near the base of the flame to

incinerate any microorganisms on the loop. This is especially important when there is a

clump of microorganisms on the loop so as to minimize the formation of aerosols that can

disperse microorganisms through the air.


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Equipment

1. Equipment should not be moved from its place.

2. When using any equipment or microscopes, the ‘instructions for use’ should be read and

followed.

Microscopes

1. When moving the microscope, it should be supported with both hands, one holding the

limb & the other supporting the foot.

2. The microscope should be handled with care removal of any of its parts should never be

attempted.

3. Care should be taken to remove the slide from the stage.

4. All oil should be wiped off from the oil immersion lens with lens paper.

5. The lamp and the main switch should be switched off and the microscope should be

covered when not in use.

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