CLINICAL LAB SCIENEC

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ESSENTIALS OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
if a person is exposed or overexposed. Something as innocuous as liquid correction
fluid (e.g., Wite-Out) may be dangerous if breathed long enough. Even lubricating
oils may be hazardous if they come in prolonged contact with the skin.
This committee, which is sometimes separated into both an Infection Control
Committee and an Exposure Control Committee, is one of the most important
committees within the hospital. It is an interdisciplinary committee with professionals
from most of the departments of the institution. This committee includes,
but is not limited to, physicians, nurses, laboratory personnel from the various
departments within pathological services, and custodial/housekeeping , food service,
and pharmacy personnel. Chapter 6, “Introduction to Infection Control,”
will address specific functions and tasks of these committees.
Safety Committee
The Safety Committee works closely with the Infection Control Committee or
Exposure Control Committee, and there is often overlap between the duties of
the two committees. However, the focus of the Safety Committee involves the
entire facility, including the physical plant and all of its systems. Electrical systems,
water and sewer systems, and the dangerous conditions within buildings
and even on the grounds around the facility are of interest to this committee.
Outdoor security (adequate lighting and security personnel) is included in the
Safety Committee’s responsibilities. Security systems, fire hazards, final disposition
of toxic wastes, and the storage and disposal of chemicals and biohazardous
materials are often handled by the Safety Committee. Like the Infection
Control Committee and Exposure Control Committee, the Safety Committee
is involved with protecting visitors, workers, and patients.
Tissue Committee
The Tissue Committee likewise often works closely with the Infection Control
Committee or Exposure Control Committee. This committee should include
surgeons, anatomic pathologists , and other professionals and paraprofessionals
such as cytologists and histotechnologists. Statistics are compiled as to
the accuracy of diagnosis leading to surgery or from the study of tissues from
post-mortem examinations where the patient may have received inadequate
treatment. Data for these important functions are reviewed by the chief of staff
and accrediting agencies for the facility. Reports from the committee may be
of interest to insurance carriers who are providing reimbursement for surgery
that may not have been justified.
Summary
Laboratories have not changed much fundamentally in their organization over
the past few years. However, the numbers of workers and the types of work
performed have changed. Surprisingly, there are fewer hospital beds today to
serve a much larger population than in the 1980s, when the number of hospital
beds in the United States peaked. Conversely, the number of medical laboratory
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