CLINICAL LAB SCIENEC

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ESSENTIALS OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
care if a patient were found to be contagious, and should wear a mask if the
person being interviewed is listed as one requiring respiratory precautions .
Protective Measures for Health Care Workers
Protective Laboratory Clothing
Protective clothing suitable for the job being performed is provided by the
employer. In routine work, a uniform is usually required, such as scrubs and
lab jackets. PPE is used in both the classroom laboratories when potentially
infectious materials and hazardous chemicals are being used, and in the clinical
sites. When there is a danger of spillage and splatter, a laboratory jacket
should be worn at a minimum. Although it is a common practice, laboratory
overgarments such as lab jackets should not be worn outside the workplace.
Some facilities even have employees remove their scrubs and don street clothing
before leaving the building. Gloves are worn at all times when blood and
other body fluids, and solid waste such as feces are handled. Aprons that are
plasticized or rubberized are necessary where there is a
danger of spilling strong acids and alkalis while working.
Latex gloves used for simple procedures are not adequate
for handling strong chemicals. Reusable gloves should be
available for use when strong chemicals are being handled.
A splash shield may also be used when opening vials
of blood or other body fluids. Goggles and face shields
(Figure 6-4) are necessary when there is a danger of splatter
or aerosolization of fluids.
The wearing of long dangling earrings, necklaces, and
bracelets may be dangerous for the medical laboratory
worker. Long hair, hair extensions, and dangling braids
may dip into the materials being tested or used in testing
and may contaminate certain items and persons in the laboratory.
An additional risk related to long hair lies in its
potential to catch in moving parts of equipment, posing a
risk of injury to the laboratory worker. A potential hazard
from wearing dangling jewelry is that electrical shocks have
occurred when jewelry made of metal has come in contact
with and conducted electricity to the technical worker,
resulting in serious injury. Shoes should have closed toes
for protection from hazardous materials and from items
falling onto the feet. They should be comfortable and stable
for standing for long periods, as is often required when
working in a medical laboratory.
FIGURE 6-4 Personal protective equipment includes
eye goggles or shield.
Source: Delmar/Cengage Learning.
Required Personal Protective Equipment
The clinical facility or the educational institution must
provide PPE as appropriate in sufficient numbers and types
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