1. CLINICAL LABORATORY (CL 400)
INTRODUCTION TO LABORATORIES

2. LABORATORY
A room, a building or part of a building equipped to conduct tests, experiments or investigations.
Example Hospital Laboratory, School Laboratory, Forensic Laboratory, Research Laboratory, soil Laboratory, Medicine Laboratory, etc.

3. TYPES OF LABORATORIES
Mainly two types based on the types of specimen which are analyzed in the laboratory
A non medical laboratory or a non clinical laboratory
A medical laboratory or clinical laboratory

4. NON MEDICAL LABORATORY OR A NON CLINICAL LABORATORY
A laboratory where non clinical specimen are analyzed. They may be classified into two groups as follows:-
School or College Laboratories. This is the place where students and teachers are allowed to make experiments, tests and so on. It is intended for school works only.  (e.g. Chemistry, Physics, Biology Laboratories)

5. NON MEDICAL LABORATORY OR A NON CLINICAL LABORATORY
Industrial laboratories (e.g. Food Microbiology laboratory, Medicine Laboratories), Forensic Laboratories, Soil Laboratories etc.

6. MEDICAL LABORATORY OR CLINICAL LABORATORY
Laboratory where various tests are done on clinical specimens in order to obtain information about the health of a patient as pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

7. A clinical specimen
Is a specimen which is taken from a patient in order to be tested and obtain information about the health of a Patient.

8. FUNCTIONS OF CLINICAL LABORATORY
A clinical laboratory helps in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease in patients. This is made possible through examination and analysis of patient samples such as blood and body fluids in which microorganisms such as bacteria, parasites, Virus, fungi and other organisms are identified.

9. THE USE OF INFORMATIONS OBTAINED FROM A CLINICAL LABORATORY
1.Reliable Laboratory test results with relevant patient data provide information on the health status of a patient and a community health patterns and disease trends. The information is important to establish health care priorities and plans such as:-

10. USE OF INFORMATION FROM CLINICAL LAB…….
Healthcare programmes and location of health facilities
Training of health personally and delivery of heath service
Treatment schedules and change in drug usage
Financing of healthcare programs

11. USE OF INFORMATION FROM CLINICAL LAB…….
2. Accurate clinical Laboratory activities can provides accurate epidemiological information which can help to determine :-
Cause of ill health in the society and risk factors contributing to the presence and the spread of disease.
Prevalence and incidence rate particular infectious disease
Effectiveness of health care programmes, drug treatments, and immunization programmes.

12. TYPES OF CLINICAL LABORATORY
Classified as per the types of investigations carried out, there are three types of clinical Laboratory
Clinical Pathology: Haematology, Histopathology, Cytology, Routine Pathology
Clinical Microbiology: Bacteriology, Mycobacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Parasitology, Immunology, Serology
Mostly, Clinical Microbiology  Laboratories receive clinical specimen, including: swabs, feces, urine, blood, sputum, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, as well as possible infected tissue.

13. TYPES OF CLINICAL LAB CONT……..
The work here is mainly concerned with cultures, to look for suspected pathogens which, if found, are further identified based on biochemical tests. Also, sensitivity testing is carried out to determine whether the pathogen is sensitive or resistant to a suggested medicine. Results are reported with the identified organism(s) and the type and amount of drug(s) that should be prescribed for the patient.

14. TYPES OF CLINICAL LAB CONT……..
3. Clinical Biochemistry: Deals with Biochemical analysis in specimen. Example Hormonal assay, Enzymatic tests, Cancer makers, Cardiac Markers etc.

15. GROUPING/CLASSIFICATION OF CLINICAL HEALTH LABORATORY
Classified according to Biosafety levels, There are four categories of Clinical Laboratory
Biosafety Level 1 Laboratory(BSL1)
Biosafety Level 2 Laboratory(BSL2)
Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory(BSL3)
Biosafety Level 4 Laboratory(BSL4)

16. Biosafety Levels In Clinical Health Laboratories Cont…..
1. Biosafety Level 1 Laboratory
Biosafety level one, the lowest level, applies to work with agents that usually pose a minimal potential threat to laboratory workers and the environment and do not consistently cause disease in healthy adults.

17. Biosafety Levels In Clinical Health Laboratories Cont…..
2. Biosafety Level 2 Laboratory
Biosafety level two would cover work with agents associated with human disease that is pathogenic or infectious organisms which can poses a moderate hazard. Examples are the equine encephalitis viruses and HIV when performing routine diagnostic procedures or work with clinical specimens.

18. Biosafety Levels In Clinical Health Laboratories Cont…..
3. Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory
It deals with indigenous or exotic agents that may cause serious or lethal disease via aerosol transmission, i.e., simple inhalation of particles or droplets.Yellow fever, St Louis encephalitis West Nile virus are examples of agents requiring biosafety level 3 practices and containment. Work with these agents is strictly controlled and must be registered with all appropriate government agencies

19. Biosafety Levels In Clinical Health Laboratories Cont…..
4. Biosafety Level 4 Laboratory
Agents requiring BSL 4 facilities and practices are extremely dangerous and pose a high risk of life-threatening disease. Examples are the Ebola virus, the Lassa virus, and any agent with unknown risks of pathogenicity and transmission.

20. Groups Of Health Laboratories Cont….
Classifies as per whether being or not owned by the government, two categories are put forward,
Government Health laboratories
Private (or community based) Health laboratories

21. Groups Of Health Laboratories Cont….
1. Government Health laboratories Is a clinical laboratory that is attached to a hospital, and perform tests on patients. They are Government owned Laboratories. Example Dispensary, Health center, District, Regional & National Health Laboratories.

22. Groups Of Health Laboratories Cont….
2. Private (or community based) Health laboratories.
These are clinical Laboratories which receive samples from general practitioners, clinical research sites and other health clinics for analysis. Or individual people can visit this lab personal check up.

23. Groups Of Health Laboratories Cont….
They are private Laboratories. They are registered and monitored by Private Health Laboratories Board (PHLB).
According to PHLB, Private (or community based) Health laboratories are classified into five groups

24. Groups Of Health Laboratories Cont….
Specimen collection point
Group C Health laboratory
Group B1 Health Laboratory
Group B2 Health Laboratory
Group A Single Purpose Health Laboratory
Group A Mult Purpose Health Laboratory

25. SAFETY IN THE LABORATORY
NOTE:
Your personal laboratory safety depends mostly on YOU because the major cause of Laboratory accident is negligence and failure to adhere to laboratory rules and precautions. For your safety in the Laboratory it is your responsibility to do the following:-

26. SAFETY IN THE LABORATORY
Read and adhere to Laboratory Safety Rules
Work in a responsible manner and exercise good judgement and common sense e.g. DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING WITH WHICH YOU ARE NOT COMPLETELY FAMILIAR!!! It is always better to ask questions than to risk harm to yourself or damage to the equipment.

27. GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY RULES
Never eat, drink, or smoke while working in the laboratory.
Read labels carefully.
Do not use any equipment unless you are trained and approved as a user by your supervisor.
Wear safety glasses or face shields when working with hazardous materials and/or equipment.

28. GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY RULES
5. Wear gloves when using any hazardous or toxic agent.
6. Clothing: When handling dangerous substances, wear gloves, laboratory coats, and safety shield or glasses. Shorts and sandals should not be worn in the lab at any time. Shoes are required when working in the Laboratory.
7. If you have long hair or loose clothes, make sure it is tied back or confined.

29. GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY RULES
8. Keep the work area clear of all materials except those needed for your work. Coats should be hung in the hall or placed in a locker. Extra books, purses, etc. should be kept away from equipment, that requires air flow or ventilation to prevent overheating.
9. Disposal - Students are responsible for the proper disposal of used material if any in appropriate containers.

30. GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY RULES
10. Equipment Failure - If a piece of equipment fails while being used, report it immediately to your lab assistant or tutor. Never try to fix the problem yourself because you could harm yourself and others.
11. If leaving a lab unattended, turn off all ignition sources and lock the doors.
12. Never pipette anything by mouth.
13. Clean up your work area before leaving.
14. Wash hands before leaving the lab and before eating.

31. MAJOR ACCIDENTS IN THE LABORATORY
Fire
Heat burns
Chemical burns
Cuts and scrapes
Contamination
Inhalation
Spills and Breaks

32. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO LABORATORY ACCIDENTS
Generally, accidents that take place in a laboratory occur due to negligence. This is due to the fact that it is clear that, the accident can and most likely will happen in the laboratory, unless certain measures are taken. Laboratory safety guidelines are established to ensure the highest safety standards within the laboratory. Failure to follow this safety measures will lead to Laboratory accidents

33. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO LABORATORY ACCIDENTS
The following are some of the practices that might lead to laboratory accidents:-
Overconfidence 
Neglecting Safety Procedures 
Lack of Preparation
Starting a Task Before Getting All Necessary Information