Biosafety and biosecurity are related terms but are different in terms of operational definition. Biosafety programs aims to eliminate or at least exposure of individuals and the community to potentially harmful biological agents. Biosafety on the other hand is attained by implementing varying levels of laboratory control and containment using laboratory design and access restrictions, personnel competency-building and training, use of containment equipment, and safe methods of managing infectious materials in a laboratory environment. The common understanding of biosafety originated from the practical guidance issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on techniques for use in laboratories. WHO considers biosafety as "the containment Department of State, the perception of people on biosecurity threat has evolved as they “see the world in terms of a multipolar, multi-threat environment”. It further stated that “biorisk and matrices to measure the weighted value of each risk have become the norm, and biosecurity and biosafety have come to encompass the use of proper safety measures and facility specifications, as well as the proper training of employees to ensure not only their own safety but that of the public at large.” Biosafety and biosecurity programs share common components because both are based on risk assessment and management methodology; personnel expertise and responsibility; control and accountability for research materials including microorganisms and culture stocks; access control elements; material transfer documentation; training; emergency planning; and program management. Biosafety and biosecurity program risk assessments should be done to determine the required levels of controls that must be implemented. Biosafety assess if appropriate laboratory procedures and practices are in place to prevent laboratory-acquired infections from biological materials, while biosecurity determine if biological materials and data remain secure from malicious misuse or The biosafety program ensures the competency of the laboratory staff in safely performing their job through training and documentation of technical expertise. The laboratory staff must manifest professional responsibility for management of research materials complying with appropriate materials management procedures. A hallmark of biosafety practices requires laboratory access to be limited to essential personnel only when work with biological agents is in progress. Biosecurity practices on the other hand ensure that access to the laboratory facility and biological materials are limited and controlled. An inventory system must also be in place so as to control and track biological stocks or other potentially hazardous biological agents in both biosafety and biosecurity programs. For biosafety, the transfer and shipping of infectious biological materials must comply with safe packaging, containment and appropriate transport procedures, while biosecurity ensures that transfers are controlled, tracked and documented relative to the potential risks of the materials being transferred. Both programs must involve the laboratory staff in the development of practices and procedures that fulfills the requirements of biosafety and biosecurity initiatives without hindering research or clinical/diagnostic activities. The success of both of these programs is anchored on a laboratory culture
Throughout the risk assessment process, ideas for action were identified and documented. The documentation of these ideas led to the development of potential action item worksheets which were then selected, prioritized, and refined. Detailed risk assessment information for each hazard is included and located through this document.
Engineer controls: controls include sharp disposable containers that isolate the bloodborne pathogens and other biohazard containers for substances that do not require puncture resistant containers.
"Preventing Exposures to Bloodborne Pathogens among Paramedics." Workplace Solutions (2010): n. pag. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Web. 9 Feb. 2014.
...elop advanced knowledge of infection control practices and be able to identify key risk factors in preventing HAIs.
...(2001, March 15). Drexel Safety and Health. Retrieved June 3, 2010, from Drexel Safety and Health: www.drexelsafetyandhealth.com/hazmat/hazmatplan.doc
(2014) shed light on two key components for infection control, which includes protecting patients from acquiring infections and protecting health care workers from becoming infected (Curchoe et al., 2014). The techniques that are used to protect patients also provide protection for nurses and other health care workers alike. In order to prevent the spread of infections, it is important for health care workers to be meticulous and attentive when providing care to already vulnerable patients (Curchoe et al., 2014). If a health care worker is aware they may contaminate the surroundings of a patient, they must properly clean, disinfect, and sterilize any contaminated objects in order to reduce or eliminate microorganisms (Curchoe et al., 2014). It is also ideal to change gloves after contact with contaminated secretions and before leaving a patient’s room (Curchoe, 2014). Research suggests that due to standard precaution, gloves must be worn as a single-use item for each invasive procedure, contact with sterile sites, and non-intact skin or mucous membranes (Curchoe et al., 2014). Hence, it is critical that health care workers change gloves during any activity that has been assessed as carrying a risk of exposure to body substances, secretions, excretions, and blood (Curchoe et al.,
Recent concerns regarding the risks of Avian flu and other exotic diseases prompted some local poultry farmers to adopt strict biosecurity protocols in order to keep their birds safe. ...
Precaution has been present at the core of public health safety for centuries, and the precautionary principle is undeniably connected to performing under doubt, which is a common situation in these days.
Biological monitoring is basically evaluating a sterilization process by rendering highly resistant bacterial spores biologically inert. The highly resistant bacterial spores used varies depending on what kind of sterilizer was used. For example Bacillus stearothermophilus spores for steam and chemical vapor sterilizers, Bacillus subtilis spores for dry heat and ethylene oxide sterilizers. These specific Bacillus spores are used because they are more resistant, and present in greater numbers than are the common microbial contaminants found on patient care equipment. If it is proven that these spores have been killed, it is strongly implied that other potential pathogens in the load have also been killed.
The civilian sector aimed at surveying biochemical infectious disease is the CDC preparedness of the public health for readiness to be involved with preventing and treating biochemical infectious disease at an epidemic
The purpose of his article was to find a better way to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) and explain what could be done to make healthcare facilities safer. The main problem that Cole presented was a combination of crowded hospitals that are understaffed with bed management problems and inadequate isolation facilities, which should not be happening in this day and age (Cole, 2011). He explained the “safety culture properties” (Cole, 2011) that are associated with preventing infection in healthcare; these include justness, leadership, teamwork, evidence based practice, communication, patient centeredness, and learning. If a healthcare facility is not honest about their work and does not work together, the patient is much more likely to get injured or sick while in the
Bacillus anthracis, is not only a dangerous bacteria that can cause a fatal disease, but is also one that can be manipulated to terrorist’ advantage to cause widespread and uncontrollable terror to entire societies. Qualitative analysis comes into play in consideration of the prevention of the spread of the disease, as proper and rapid identification of anthrax can drastically improve the prospects of halting contamination, as efficient diagnosis is directly correlated to prevention.
Avoiding infection or, at least, breaking the chain of transmission is vital in any setting, but more so in healthcare environments where infections and vulnerable hosts are moving under the same roof. What needs to be done, then?
Safety in school labs Safety remains one of the key elements in modern school labs; it is necessary for the staff to ensure the safety of all the lab users. All chemicals and equipment in the laboratory have the potential to harm if adequate safety measures are not taken into account. For lab use, you have to ensure that you follow the basic safety guidelines for the lab sessions. Always be aware of all the general safety precautions and familiarize yourself with the appropriate protective measures that can keep you safe (NIOSH, 2006). It is important to consider that serious damage could occur if the basic safety rules and regulations for lab practice are not followed.
BioSence is a management information system (M.I.S.), which sits on top of each individual hospital’s information system (I.S.). Physician(s) in each hospital enter patient data into their information system. The BioSence management information system extracts the relevant data required such as age, sex, location information, symptoms, medication etc.