safety guidelines:

since we’re handling pathogenic microorganisms, safety is a must to protect me, works, cleaners, visitors, etc

protective clothing:

1. The following shall be worn while working in the clinical microbiology lab:
   1. laboratory coat or gown, preferably disposable
   2. disposable gloves, latex and latex alternatives (e.g nitrile) in multiple sizes
2. If the laboratory clothing becomes contaminated with any organism, it should be autoclaved and laundered immediately before reusing
3. Protective clothing should be removed before personnel leave the laboratory area
4. If disposable laboratory coats are not used, laboratory coats should be laundered on a frequent basis on site. Do not take the laboratory coats home to launder

Handling specimens:

1. Handle specimens with care
2. Reject grossly contaminated specimens
3. Wipe work area with disinfectant at the beginning and at the end of each laboratory session. Document bench disinfection on a log sheet.
4. If a specimen container is spilled or broken:
   1. cover the area with paper towels and flood with disinfectant
   2. Allow disinfectant to stand still for 15 minutes before cleaning the area
5. Open the specimen container only at time of inoculation.
   1. Do not open a series of containers and leave the lids open
6. Perform all work over protective sheet or bench paper. A container of disinfectant must be close at hand.

Disposal of contaminated material: