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Addressing safety and security while delivering an effective microbiology service

This article explores the importance of safety and security measures in the delivery of effective microbiology services. It covers various aspects such as staff safety, pathogen security, laboratory facilities, legal frameworks, guidance and advice, and personnel and data security.

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Addressing safety and security while delivering an effective microbiology service

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  1. Addressing safety and security while delivering an effective microbiology service Brian I. Duerden & Sam Gillanders Inspector of Microbiology and Infection Control, Department of Health

  2. Management Responsibilities • Do the job! • Clinical diagnosis • Public health investigations • Do it safely • Staff doing the work • Visitors, students, the public • Keep pathogens secure • In the laboratory • In transit

  3. Inspector of Microbiology • Champion & promote high quality clinical & public health microbiology • all labs in NHS contribute to surveillance • promote standards & quality • identify gaps in specialist & reference micro. • achieve adherence to SOPs • protocols to reduce the risk of loss/misuse • compliance with security • Links with devolved administrations and internationally

  4. Who is responsible? • Laboratory management • Building security • People – safety and security • Staff, visitors, students, couriers, public • Pathogen security (bioterrorism risk) • Senior appointment(s) • Safety • Security

  5. Elements in safety & security • Laboratory facilities • Buildings and access • Equipment • Methods and procedures • Staff • Appointment (screening, selection) • Training; supervision • Pathogens • Storage, transport, disposal

  6. Legal framework • Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 • Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act (ATCSA) 2001 • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002

  7. Guidance and advice • Home office • Security standards for laboratories 2003 (restricted but available on request) • Personnel security measures for laboratories • ACDP • HSE • CPA

  8. Security and safety • Security • Control of dangerous substances • Specified pathogens (Schedule 5) • Prevent access to these substances by those who seek to use them for terrorist purposes • Safety • Any pathogens that could affect staff/public • Hazard groups • Risk assessment

  9. Buildings/laboratory security • 3 Ds – Deter, Detect, Delay • BUT do not compromise staff safety • Secure doors, windows • Physically robust • Locked • Alarms/cameras • Access • restrict to specified staff/official visitors • Electronic locks (keypads not ideal) • No public thoroughfare

  10. Key areas • Category 4 - Safety and security priority • Safety • Category 3 laboratories • Restricted staff access • Registered with HSE • Security • Schedule 5 pathogens • List of staff with access • Register any stocks held with Home Office

  11. Transport • Safety • Courier, public, receiving laboratory • Required packaging, labelling • Protection from leakage and deterioration • Report adverse incidents/failures • 2005 changes • From hazard group to Categories A & B • Security – avoid risk of theft • Tracking and traceability

  12. Data security • Patient confidentiality • Caldicot etc • Prevent terrorist access • Hard copy and computer records • Stocks held • Methods of preparation

  13. Staff security • Register of all staff • Specific list of all staff with access to ‘dangerous substances’ (Schedule 5) • List of staff with access to Category 3 laboratories (HSE) • HO requires address and contact details for all staff with Schedule 5 pathogen access • Full records – accessible BUT confidential

  14. Recruitment procedures • Check identity, address etc • Registration proof (not photocopy) • Qualifications • Employment history – verified • Unspent convictions • References checked

  15. ….not just new employees!! • Existing staff • Locums • Visitors • Students • Non-laboratory staff with access

  16. Personnel responsibilities • Training • Records • Supervision • Formal statement and ensure it happens • CPD, training updates

  17. Pathogen classification • ACDP/COSHH • Hazard group (Category) 1 – 4 • Category 4 – all agree highest level for safety and security • ATCSA • Schedule 5 organisms (Australia list) • Transport • Categories A & B

  18. Transport regulation 2005 • UN classification • Category A (dangerous substances) • Packaging, labelling, secure hand-over, tracking, recording • Category B • Packaging • M. tuberculosis, VTEC, Sh. dysenteriae type 1 • Cat. Abut may be treated as Cat. B if for clinical and diagnostic purposes

  19. Transport aim • Keep the ‘may be transported as Cat B’ option • Produce specific guidance • Ensure packaging and tracking • Remain Cat. A pathogens • Report adverse incidents/inappropriate consignment to HSE

  20. Consolidation • Single package of advice to incorporate • Home Office • HSE • ACDP • Transport • Examples/templates • Support CPA assessments ……….we will try to help!!

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