Laboratory Technician Roles

Laboratory Technician Roles

Meenakshi Nehru

Laboratory Technician Roles

Meenakshi Nehru

ISBN - 9789361527364

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Preface

With the passage of each day, medical science is acing its way into modern technology. But that technology becomes beneficial only if personnel and the medical staff have the proper knowledge of its working.

The purpose of this book is to educate students in clinical laboratory science and every aspect of its working. This book critically analyzes the concepts associated with a medical laboratory and the roles personnel working within. The fundamentals of every essential equipment in the medical laboratory is explained with utmost significance.

This text also brings into account the hazards and risks associated with the working of a clinical laboratory. The safety measures are also precisely explained. Finally, a list of all duties, skills, responsibilities of a lab technician is provided for a sound understanding of what it takes to be a part of medical laboratory personnel.

The text is prepared concisely to avoid unnecessary exaggeration. The purpose of this book is to educate and enlighten students and generate within them a zeal and love for serving humanity

Table of Contents

1 The Laboratory 1

1.1 General Overview 1

1.2 Classification of Medical Laboratories 2

1.2.1 Basic Laboratory Level I 2

1.2.2 Basic Laboratory Level Ii 4

1.2.3 Containment Laboratory (Level Iii) 6

1.2.4 Maximum Containment Laboratory 8

1.3 Organisation of A Medical Laboratory 10

1.4 Structure of Medical Lab Services 12

1.4.1 Community Based Primary

Health Care Laboratory 12

1.4.2 District Hospital Laboratory 13

1.4.3 Regional Hospital Laboratory 14

1.4.4 Central and Public Health Laboratory 14

1.5 Exercise 15

2 Laboratory Instruments 16

2.1 Test Tube 16

2.1.1 Types and Usage 17

2.2 Centrifuges 18

2.2.1 Basic Components of Centrifuges 19

2.2.2 Classifications of Centrifuges 20

2.2.3 Kinds of Centrifuges 21

2.2.4 Use and Care of Centrifuges 22

2.3 Refrigerators 23

2.4 Ovens 24

2.5 Water Bath 25

2.6 Incubators 26

2.6.1 Place Your Unit Properly 27

2.6.2 Monitor Temperature 28

2.6.3 Monitor Humidity and CO2 29

2.6.4 Clean it Regularly 30

2.6.5 Calibrate the Temperature Regularly 32

2.7 Colorimeter (photometer) 33

2.7.1 Visible Light Spectrum 33

2.7.2 Beer’s and Lambert’s Law 35

2.7.3 Measuring Instruments 36

2.8 Desiccators 40

2.8.1 Constituents 41

2.8.2 Operation 42

2.9 Instruments and Materials Used for pH Determination 42

2.9.1 Standard Short-Range PH Strips 43

2.9.2 Use of Different Buffers 44

2.9.3 Precautions While Using Buffers 45

2.10 Instrument for Purifying Water 46

2.10.1 Water Distilling Apparatus (Still) 47

2.10.2 Gravity Water Filter 48

2.10.3 Deionizer 48

2.11 Microscope 49

2.11.1 Major Parts of a Microscope 49

2.11.2 Working Principle of the Microscope 53

2.11.3 Routine Use of the Microscope 54

2.11.4 Types of Microscope 55

2.11.5 Care, Cleaning, and Repair of the Microscope 61

2.12 Instruments and Materials used for Advanced

Laboratory Techniques 62

2.12.1 Polymerase Chain Reaction (Pcr) Machine 62

2.12.2 Flow Cytometry 62

2.12.3 Automated Analyzers 62

2.13 Exercise 63

3 Sterilization and Disinfection 64

3.1 Sterilization 64

3.1.1 Methods of Sterilization Techniques 64

3.1.2 Moist Heat 68

3.1.3 Steam Under Pressure (Autoclave) 68

3.1.4 Radiation (Ultra - Violet Ray) 71

3.1.5 Mechanical Method 71

3.1.6 Chemical Methods 77

3.2 Disinfection and Decontamination of

Laboratory Wastes 84

3.2.1 Disinfection 84

3.2.2 Disinfection After Accidents 85

3.2.3 Decontamination Using Chemical Disinfectants 87

3.3 Decontamination of Laboratory Space 89

3.3.1 Infectious Potential of laboratory waste 89

3.3.2 Characteristics of Infectious Laboratory Waste 91

3.3.3 Responsibility For The Safe Handling and

Disposal of Infectious Waste 93

3.3.4 Waste Handling and Treatment Methods 95

3.3.5 Chemical Decontamination 98

3.3.6 Infectious Waste Requiring Special Consideration 105

3.4 Decontamination Procedures 111

3.4.1 Rooms 111

3.4.2 Equipment 112

3.4.3 Laboratory Protective Clothing 112

3.5 Exercise 112

4 Laboratory Accidents and Safety 114

4.1 Laboratory Hazards and Accidents 114

4.1.1 Chemical Hazards 114

4.1.2 Physical Hazards 121

4.1.3 Lighting 122

4.1.4 Battery Charging 122

4.1.5 Heat and Heating Devices 123

4.1.6 Heat Stress 125

4.1.7 Cold Traps 126

4.1.8 Autoclaves 127

4.1.9 Centrifuges 128

4.1.10 Cryogenic Safety 130

4.1.11 Extractions and Distillations 137

4.1.12 Glassware Considerations 138

4.1.13 Mercury-Containing Equipment 145

4.1.14 Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) Safety Precautions 147

4.2 Hazards and Accidents Associated with Laboratory 150

4.2.1 Infection 150

4.2.2 Burns 151

4.2.3 Cuts 151

4.2.4 Harmful Effects of Toxic Chemicals 151

4.2.5 Injury from Explosions 151

4.2.6 Electric Shock 152

4.2.7 Fire 152

4.3 Factors Contributing to Laboratory Accidents 153

4.3.1 First Aid for Laboratory Hazards 154

4.3.2 Emergency Treatment of Cuts and Bleeding 156

4.3.3 Emergency Treatment of Burns 156

4.3.4 Swallowing of Other Poisonous Chemicals 157

4.3.5 Swallowing of Infected Materials 158

4.3.6 Electric Shock 158

4.4 Safe use and Storage of Chemicals and Reagents 158

4.4.1 Flammable Chemicals 158

4.4.2 Corrosive Chemicals 159

4.4.3 Toxic, Harmful, and Irritating Chemicals 160

4.4.4 Explosive Chemicals 160

4.5 Planning for Safety 161

4.6 General Precautions for the Avoidance of

Laboratory Accidents 163

4.7 Exercise 164

5 Role of Medical Laboratory Technician 165

5.1 Duties and Responsibilities 165

5.1.1 Work Environment 166

5.1.2 Education Medical Laboratory

Technologist Program 167

5.2 Skills 167

5.3 Lab. Rules, Ethics and Professional Code of Conduct 168

5.3.1 Rules of Medical Laboratory 168

5.3.2 Professional Code of Conduct and Ethics 170

5.4 Exercise 171

Appendix 172

Glossary 173

Index 184

Chapter

1 The Laboratory

In today’s day and age of technology, modern health care encapsulates innumerable personnel and services- the knowledge of which every medical practitioner or caregiver must be aware of. Only then will patients have access to the means through which they can get cured. It is for that reason that day after day, year after year, new technologies, machines, and pieces of equipment are created for delivering optimum healthcare services to save lives.

The first and foremost step in medicating any patient is the accurate diagnosis of his/her medical condition. This is achieved with the help of medical laboratories where clinical pathology tests are carried out on clinical specimens to obtain information about the health of a patient.

1.1 General Overview

Fig 1.1 Medical laboratory Technician In a Medical Library

Source: https://pg/AccuReferenceMedicalLab/services/

In general, laboratories are equipped with instruments, chemicals, and equipment to conduct scientific experiments, research activities, and investigative procedures. A medical laboratory is equipped with biomedical instruments, materials, and machines for investigative procedures that use biological specimens ( blood, serum, urine, etc.) for diagnostic purposes.

Medical laboratories vary in size and complexity, and so offer a variety of testing services. More comprehensive services can be found in acute-care hospitals and medical centers, where 70% of clinical decisions are based on laboratory testing. Medical Laboratories that are limited only to basic diagnosis are found in doctors clinics as well. Commercial medical laboratories work independently and provide testing that is otherwise not provided in other settings due to low test volume or complexity.

1.2 Classification Of Medical Laboratories

The World Health Organization (WHO) lists four kinds of levels of laboratories based on their biosafety.

1.2.1 Basic Laboratory Level I

Basic laboratory level I is the simplest kind and adequate for work with organisms that have low risk to the individual laboratory personnel as well as to the members of the community. Such organisms are categorized under Risk Group I by WHO. These organisms are unlikely to cause human diseases. For example, food spoilage bacteria, common molds, and yeasts.

Fig 1.2 Types of equipment used in Basic laboratory level I

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/424323596115133449/

At the lowest level of biosafety, precautions may consist of regular hand-washing and minimal protective equipment. At higher biosafety levels, precautions may include airflow systems, multiple containment rooms, sealed containers, positive pressure personnel suits, established protocols for all procedures, extensive personnel training, and high levels of security to control access to the facility.

Biosafety level 1 (BSL-1) is suitable for work with well-characterized agents that do not cause disease in healthy humans. In general, these agents should pose a minimal potential hazard to laboratory personnel and the environment. At this level, precautions are limited relative to other levels. Laboratory personnel must wash their hands upon entering and exiting the lab. Research with these agents may be performed on standard open laboratory benches without the use of special containment equipment.

However, eating and drinking are generally prohibited in laboratory areas. Potentially infectious material must be decontaminated before disposal, either by adding a chemical such as bleach or isopropanol or by packaging for decontamination elsewhere. Personal protective equipment is only required for circumstances where personnel might be exposed to hazardous material. BSL-1 laboratories must have a door that can be locked to limit access to the lab. However, BSL-1 labs do not need to be isolated from the general building.

This level of biosafety is appropriate for work with several kinds of microorganisms, including non-pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus, Bacillus subtilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other organisms not suspected to contribute to human disease. Due to the relative ease and safety of maintaining a BSL-1 laboratory, these are the types of laboratories generally used as teaching spaces for high schools and colleges.

1.2.2 Basic Laboratory Level Ii

Basic laboratory level II is suitable for work with organisms that predispose to moderate risk to the laboratory worker and limited risk to the members of the community. Such organisms are categorized under Risk Group II by WHO. They can cause serious human diseases but not serious hazards due to the availability of effective preventive measures and treatment.

At this level, all precautions used at Biosafety Level 1 are followed, and some additional precautions are taken. BSL-2 differs from BSL-1 in that:

• Laboratory personnel have specific training in handling pathogenic agents and are directed by scientists with advanced training.

• Access to the laboratory is limited when work is being conducted.

• Extreme precautions are taken with contaminated sharp items.

• Certain procedures in which infectious aerosols or splashes may be created are conducted in biological safety cabinets or other physical containment equipment.

Biosafety level 2 is suitable for work involving agents of the moderate potential hazard to personnel and the environment. This includes various microbes that cause mild disease to humans, or are difficult to contract via aerosol in a lab setting. Examples include Hepatitis A, B, and C viruses, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Plasmodium falciparum, and Toxoplasma gondii.

Fig 1.3 Biosafety cabinet

Source: https://www.labconco.com/category/class-ii-type-c1

1.2.3 Containment Laboratory (Level Iii)

Containment laboratory is more advanced, and it is