The security of medical samples is of utmost importance and the controls and regulations around storage and transportation are extensive. The laboratory must keep track of who enters and leaves the laboratory, and should strictly enforce the use of identification badges. Security measures should include an entry log and restricting access during off-hours. If you suspect that your lab is compromised, consider hiring a professional to oversee the security measures. In this way, you can rest assured that your samples are kept safe and secure.
To prevent contamination, medical waste must be properly disposed of. Infectious materials such as needles or syringes must be properly capped before they are shipped. When sending specimens to a reference laboratory, the test send-out area is considered the shipper in terms of regulatory compliance.
The laboratory staff is responsible for preparing biomaterials for transportation. They should be trained in safe transport, proper packaging, and emergency procedures. They should carefully place the material in a leakproof primary container. The use of Security Seal products is recommended. Find out more at https://acmeseals.co.uk They must then label the primary container and label the tube to indicate the contents. Once the primary container is sealed and labeled, the specimen must be refrigerated immediately.
All work areas that handle infectious materials and bloody specimens must be disinfected with 10% bleach or an approved disinfectant. If a worker is working with blood or serum, they must also wear an approved respirator. After handling the specimen, workers must remove their gloves and avoid contact with other surfaces. These procedures are essential for the safety of health care staff and the public. But despite the precautions, you should not overlook safety when handling specimens.
In pathology, data protection is essential. Labs are legally required to maintain secure data on patients. Increasing connectivity makes this increasingly difficult to maintain. HIPAA security standards have been updated to protect medical samples from cyberattacks.
If you send a patient’s specimen to a laboratory, it should be transported in a biohazard bag. If your specimens are unsafe to handle or do not meet the laboratory’s standards, you should not send them to the laboratory. You should also note that the laboratory will notify the nursing station where the specimens came from. Similarly, if a specimen is not properly labelled, it cannot be tested. It should also be labelled with the patient’s name and the source of the specimen.