CLINICAL LAB SCIENEC

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ESSENTIALS OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
minimal risk tasks require only gloves (along with suitable clothing), while others
may require a mask, a face shield, or all three. Generally, only gloves are
worn (as protective equipment) for the following tasks:
1. When there is a likelihood of contact with patient’s blood or other body
fluids, except for perspiration
2. When collecting or transporting a specimen
3. When cleaning up spills of body fluids
4. When transporting or handling soiled bed linens or towels
5. When the student or worker has open cuts or sores on, or chafing of, the
hands and arms
Transparent shields are used in the laboratory for opening tubes of blood
from which spatters of blood or aerosols may be generated.
Exposure Potential and Prevention
All medical workers have a responsibility to themselves and the institution to be
safety conscious at all times. Using preventive practices enables workers to avoid
making mistakes that will cause them to come in direct contact with blood a nd
body fluids. It is best to avoid exposure incidents by following the policies and
guidelines of the institution and by obtaining good information and training. By
conscientiously following these measures, there is very little likelihood of contracting
AIDS , hepatitis, or TB in the course of the performance of the medical
worker’s tasks.
Prevention and Treatment for Bloodborne and Airborne Pathogens
There is currently no cure for HIV infection or AIDS . HBV infections run their
natural course, and approximately 90% of those infected recover and show no
evidence of the disease after the condition is resolved. However, 10% of those
contracting HBV become chronically infected and are known as “carriers.” Carriers
are difficult to identify just from appearance, as the infected person may
appear quite healthy.
TB is the most prevalent airborne disease and may be cured in the early
stages of the disease by the administration of specific antibiotics in most cases,
except for those cases arising from resistant strains of organisms. However, the
emphasis should be on prevention rather than cure for both bloodborne and
airborne pathogens.
What Is Meant by Potential Exposure?
Potential exposure occurs when a health care employee may be exposed to blood
or body fluids or to a patient with a respiratory illness in the course of duties
being performed. The terms “exposure” and “exposure incident” are used somewhat
interchangeably when there is an actual exposure to a hazardous condition,
such as working with a patient who later is determined to have active TB,
or if the hands or clothing are soiled with blood from a patient with an infectious
disease. An exposure incident more accurately occurs when there is an
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