Clinical Laboratories where bodily fluids are tested can be hazardous to the technicians who carry out the procedures.
Many
people have entered laboratories to give urine, blood, stool or other
bodily fluid specimens. Not so many people have actually been in the
room where they do autopsies on those who died from many different
causes – the morgue.
Most laboratories have a room designated as
the morgue. If family members want to know why their loved one died, an
autopsy can be person. This is usually done by a Pathologist. If there
is a questionable death, or suspicion of foul play, a medical examiner
may be called in to do the autopsy.
Morgues can be like a dirty
toilet bowel. Filthy conditions can result from the transient traffic of
decomposing bodies, together with potentially dangerous chemicals, lack
of adequate ventilation and crowded quarters. I imagine in days gone
by, morgues lived up to their horror story scenarios. They looked like
something between a medieval torture chamber and a meat locker.
Back
when I was a diener it was not that bad, but it was quite crowded and
only one body could fit in there at a time, except for perhaps a small
baby or two kept in the refrigerator (sorry, I do not mean to offend –
that is how it was). I think there were not too many safeguards in place
in the 70s, but now there are many regulations for those who work in a
laboratory or morgue.
You may have watched Dr. G. Medical Examiner
on television (one of my favorites), and seen her performing autopsies.
I have noticed that she does not wear much protective clothing or cover
on her face or hair. Maybe it is all staged, which would explain it.
They mostly like do not want to cover her pretty face and hair.
Morgue Basic Requirements
* Hot/cold running water
* Restrooms
* Electricity
* HVAC
* Drainage
* Parking
* Communications
* Secure
* 5000-8000 square ft
In recent years, walk-in refrigerators
with double storage space for bodies are being put in the morgues, so
twice as many autopsies can be completed at one time. With the potential
for disasters, and other situations where increased body storage is
needed, morgues will be more able to handle them.
One of the most
marked changes lately in some morgues is an observation room, that
allows police or students to view an autopsy. Prior to that, the person
performing the autopsy was often disrupted by observers asking
questions, or by students fainting from the odors.
Improved air
systems have been designed to control the spread of infectious diseases
and odors in morgues and clinical laboratories.
Most laboratories
appoint an employee to be the laboratory safety officer. A safety
committee and incident review committee are formed which analyze
accidents and maintain procedures. They have mandatory ongoing safety
training for laboratory staff. They also post signs in prominent places
so all are aware of the potential dangers.
OSHA Occupational
Safety and Health Administration of the United States is the
governmental body that regulates laboratory safety. Other areas of the
government that cooperate with OSHA including EPA, RRCA, NRC, DOT, US
Postal Service, CDC, NIOSH, NIH and DHS. Amazing how many are involved,
and I am sure there are even more.
A laboratory can at any time be
exposed to carcinogens, teratogens, mutagens, sensitizers, irritants,
hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins and neurotoxins (lots of poisons).
As
an example of what can happen in a laboratory, a 22-year-old science
student working in the clinical laboratory acquired Salmonella typhi
which caused an intestinal abscess. Not only did he need antibiotic
therapy, but he required two surgeries for drainage and the creation of
an ileostomy.
At another facility, students were hired to clean
out a closed lab. The students were given minimal instructions. They
were to move equipment and dispose of chemical and biological wastes.
One of the students left chemicals out on the bench top at room
temperature (a no no) while they went to lunch. Shortly after, the
chemicals exploded and a terrible odor forced the evacuation of the
entire building. The students had not been using any protective gear.
Before
1976, sodium azide was used as a preservative in the laboratories. It
was disposed of down ordinary plumbing. Lead and copper pipes cause the
formation of metal azides which are actually more explosive than
nitroglycerin. Serious explosions resulted and injured several people
until it was banned from the laboratory.
So, if you are thinking
about pursuing a career as a medical technologist, pathologist,
hematologist and a host of other jobs, you will be glad to know that
laboratories are much safer now that just a few years ago.
One example of the guidelines for autopsy personnel is the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
Those
who transfer the remains from a mortuary stretcher to the autopsy table
should wear gowns and gloves. Personnel who perform or assist with the
autopsy should wear a surgical scrub suit, surgical cap, full sleeve
impervious gown, eye and face protection (face shield), shoe covers and
surgical gloves (double) with an interposed layer of synthetic mesh
cut-proof gloves.
For those who use oscillating saws (to open the skull), it is recommended that they wear an air-purifying respirator.
All
protective clothes must be removed when leaving the autopsy area. Hands
should be washed well after removing gloves. In addition, all surfaces
where an autopsy was performed must be disinfected with high level
disinfectant. All equipment should also be cleaned and disinfected.
http://www.hubpages.com/profile/elayne001
http://hawaiianart.ning.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ruth_Kongaika/426536
Comments
Post a Comment