Safe Specimen Handling Procedure

General guidelines for the safety of you and others

Coolers or puncture resistant container must be labeled with bio-hazzard sticker
Use universal precaution and assume all specimens are infectious
Always have spill kit available in your car
Carry cooler or puncture resistant container into customer location (never transport specimen by hand)
Clean transport carriers with a disinfectant at least once a week or whenever a specimen has leaked
Always use gloves any time you come in direct contact with a specimen
Wash hands with soap and water using or changing gloves and immediately hafter handling specimens
Never pick up hazardous waste such as needles, tubes, etc
Do not accept any leaky specimens from customers. Ask them to correct the problem
Wash your hands before eating, drinking, smoking, or applying cosmetics (never eat or drink in a contaminated area)
Report any injury or blood exposure while handling specimens

Handling Dry Ice

Spills must be handled in a proper manner. The following is a step by step instruction of how to handle a spill:

In a client facility, clear the area and notify a responsible person.
Wash hands immediately if they came in contact with the specimen.
Open the spill kit.
Put the gloves on.
Soak up the spill with the absorbent material.
Use the tools provided to put contaminated material in the plastic bag. Don’t contaminate the outside surface of the bag.
Pour disinfectant over the contaminated area.
Wipe the solution from the spill area with the absorbent towel.
Carefully put the used cloth and disposable gloves in the plastic bag with other contaminated materials.
Air dry.
Dispose of the specimen in a biohazzard bag.
Wash hands again.
Report the incident to the company and customer ASAP.
Deliver the kit, along with other specimens, to the person in charge.
Replace the spill kit ASAP.