1. Biological Agents, Biosafety cabinets and Beyond Biological Agents, Biosafety cabinets and Beyond Microbiology laboratory 2005

2. Objectives Why is Biosafety Important? How can we protect ourselves?

3. Scientists scramble to destroy flu strain

4. How do lab acquired infections occur? Actual source can be defined for 20% cases Percutaneous –Needles, glass Mucocutaneous –Contact between eyes, nose & contaminated material (hands or surfaces) Inhalation –aerosols Ingestion

5. Laboratory acquired infections HOW BAD ARE THEY? Lab acquired infections 1979-1999 –9 deaths N. menigitiditis, Salmonella, Brucella Estimates 1-5 infections/1000 lab workers/yr 2/3 lab acquired infections from direct work with agent

6. Laboratory acquired infections How can we prevent them?

7. Joint Health and Safety Committee To identify sources of danger or hazards through workplace inspections To make written recommendations for improvements to the employer To participate in the investigation of accidents and incidents

8. Cycle of Transmission BSC/PPE Practises/ Equipment Immunization/ surveillance

9. Day in the life of a Micro tech Containment level 2 What are the hazards? Where are the hazards? How protect self?

11. Arrival to lab What are the hazards? Where are the hazards? How protect yourself?

12. Processing the specimens

13. What are the hazards? Where are the hazards? How protect yourself?

14. Barrier Techniques & PPE Selection of barriers/PPE in microbiology laboratory based on assessment of risk: -type of contact -degree of contamination -likelihood of splash or spray -difficulty of the procedure and experience of the lab tech

15. What are the hazards? Where are the hazards? How protect yourself?

16. What are the hazards? Where are the hazards? How protect yourself?

18. When do you wear gloves? “Gloves must be worn for all procedures that might involve direct skin contact with biohazardous material or infected animals” (Health Canada) “Appropriate gloves for all procedures that may involve direct or accidental contact with blood, infectious materials or infected animals” (WHO)

19. Eye protection

20. Safety practices

21. Handwashing

22. Hospital wide Hand washing compliance 236/719 350/668 580/1645 33%35% 52%

23. Handwashing compliance

24. Why so low? HCW perspective Lack of Time Lack of or poor placement of equipment The Glove Fallacy Fear of skin problems Lack of role model

25. Alcohol based hand rubs Alcohol-based hand rubs should be used to decontaminate lightly soiled hands when proper hand washing is not available or not convenient (WHO recommendations)

26. Use at breaks, lunch and after washing hands in washroom Compatible with the hospital hand washing products frequent use of lotion led to a 50% increase in how often HCW's washed their hands! Hand Lotion

27. Waste

29. Where does the garbage go?

31. Safe handling of needles

32. Standard Microbiological practices Wash hands Minimize splashes & aerosols Use biosafety cabinets for working with infectious agents involving aerosols/splashes, large volumes or high concentrations Decontaminate work surfaces daily Decontaminate waste Handle sharps safely

33. Laboratory acquired infections CAN THEY BE PREVENTED? YES! Key to prevention of laboratory acquired infections is a safety conscious staff, who are well informed about the recognition and control of laboratory hazards

34. Protect Yourself Ensure your vaccinations are up to date Stay home when ill Using ROUTINE Practices (BSP) for all patient specimens Recognize when ADDITIONAL barriers/PPE are warranted WASH YOUR HANDS !! Recognize and REPORT potential problems

35. Colleen Silver Allison McGeer Erin Churchill Wayne Lee Darlene Cann Infection Control Team

36. Infection control education http://info/microbiology/educationregistration/