Biosafety cabinet for blood cultures.Q My lab currently does not provide a biological safety cabinet (BSC (Binary Synchronous Communications) See bisync. ) in the blood-culture room to sub blood cultures. In light of bioterrorism concerns--not to mention exposure to certain pathogens--is a biosafety cabinet recommended, and/or do you know if one will be required for subbing blood cultures in the near future? According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the newest edition of Koneman's Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology,(1) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), agency of the U.S. Public Health Service since 1973, with headquarters in Atlanta; it was established in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center. and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration have established the following within the framework of standard/universal precautions: 1) blood and body fluids from all patients must be handled as infectious material; all patients should be assumed to be infectious for HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. and other blood-borne pathogens blood-borne pathogens, n.pl pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and cause disease in humans. blood-borne pathogens exposure control plan, n ; and 2) all persons who process blood and body fluid specimens should wear gloves--plus a face shield (or a mask with glasses or goggles goggles, n the protective eyewear worn by dental personnel and patients during dental procedures. goggles see periocular leukotrichia. )--if blood or body fluids are expected to splatter. Thus, it would seem that there is no requirement for a BSC for processing positive blood-culture bottles at this time, but there are definite recommendations from the government of precautions that should be utilized in these situations. It has also been suggested that laboratories assess the risk of aerosol production for all procedures, including automated instrumentation. Certain procedures, such as sonication sonication /son·i·ca·tion/ (son?i-ka´shun) exposure to sound waves; disruption of bacteria by exposure to high-frequency sound waves. son·i·ca·tion n. or vortexing of bacterial suspensions, are likely to produce an aerosol and should be performed in a BSC. It has been recommended that all procedures that produce aerosols should be performed in a BSC or be discontinued. (2) --Susan E. Sharp, PhD, D(ABMM ABMM American Board of Medical Microbiology ABMM American Board of Medical Management ABMM Anti-Ballistic Missile Missile ABMM American Board of Medical Malpractice ) Director of Microbiology Kaiser Permanente Pathology Regional Laboratory; Associate Professor Oregon Health and Science University Portland, OR References (1.) Winn W Jr, Allen S, Janda W, et al. Introduction to microbiology. In: Koneman E. Koneman's Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006:52. (2.) Sewell D. Laboratory safety practices associated with potential agents of biocrime or bioterrorism. J ClinMicrobiol. 2003;41(7):2801-2809. [ILLustration OMITTED] Edited by Daniel M. Baer, MD Daniel M. Baer, MD, is professor emeritus of laboratory medicine at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR, and a member of MLO's editorial advisory board. |
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