SOP – Malaria Microscopy - NVBDCP

Quality Assurance of Malaria Diagnostic testsHands must always be washed vigorously under running water using a skindisinfectant /antibacterial liquid (i.e. 4% chlorhexidine gluconate with added skinemollients) for at least 10 seconds and 70% alcohol before and after work and at anytime before leaving the laboratory.• Barrier protectionLaboratory gown, preferably wrap around gowns, disposable gloves and protectiveshoe covers must be worn at all times when working inside the laboratory andespecially when handling human blood. Use gloves for all those procedures that mayinvolve accidental, direct contact with blood or infectious materials. A generoussupply of good quality gloves is required. Discard gloves whenever they are thoughtto have been contaminated or perforated, wash hands and put on new gloves.Gloves should be used in addition to hand washing. Laboratory clothings should beremoved before leaving the laboratory.• Safe laboratory practicesBesides the instructions mentioned abovei. eating, drinking or storing food or drinks is strictly prohibited in the laboratory.Special personal lockers should be provided to the laboratory staff to keep allthese items at the entry point of the laboratory area.ii. apply strict aseptic techniques throughout the procedure.iii. wash hands with soap and water immediately after any contamination and afterwork is finished. If gloves are worn, wash hands before and after gloves areremoved.iv. all technical procedures must be performed in a way that minimizes the formationof aerosols and droplets. Work with human blood or serum requires the use ofdisposable equipment and supplies, whenever possible. Otherwise, all reusablematerials must be autoclaved or placed in 1.0% hypochlorite solution for 24 hoursbefore washing.v. ensure an effective insect and rodent control programme.• Safety procedure for malaria diagnostic testsi) Collection of blood by finger prick methodDiscard the lancet / pricking needle after the finger prick straight in to abeaker containing 1% freshly prepared solution of sodium hypochlorite or anyother appropriate disinfectant.ii)Collection by venepuncture wash hands before and after the collection of specimen. collect and place the specimen aseptically in an appropriate sterile, leakproof,airtight container, whenever needed or follow SOP tightly close the lid of the container during transportation, if necessary completely fill the label on the specimen collection vial. collect the specimens by taking precautions to avoid unnecessarycontamination of the material but also avoid self-infection, creation of aerosolor gross splashing (especially into eyes) or by injury such as syringe needleor contamination of damaged skin.Similarly, after venepuncture, the syringe with attached needle may be disposed bydifferent methods. See under safe handling of sharpsSOP – Malaria Microscopy© Copyright to Dte. NVBDCP Only. Any modification are prohibited