Analysis of Bio-Risk Management System Implementation in Indonesian Higher Education Laboratory.

Anom Bowolaksono,Saraswati Andani Satyawardhani,Debby Paramitasari,Cynthia Febrina Maharani,Abdul Kadir,Fatma Lestari

doi:10.3390/ijerph18105076

Abstract

Developing countries face various challenges in implementing bio-risk management systems in the laboratory. In addition, educational settings are considered as workplaces with biohazard risks. Every activity in a laboratory facility carries many potential hazards that can impact human health and the environment and may cause laboratory incidents, including Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs). In an effort to minimize the impact and occurrence of these incidents, it is necessary to evaluate the implementation of a bio-risk management system in every activity that involves handling biological agents. This study was conducted in an Indonesian higher-education institution, herein coded as University Y. This is a descriptive, semi-quantitative study aimed at analysing and evaluating the implementation of the bio-risk management systems used in laboratories by analysing the achievements obtained by each laboratory. The study used primary data that were collected using a checklist which referred to ISO 35001:2019 on Laboratory Bio-risk Management. The checklist consisted of 202 items forming seven main elements. In addition, secondary data obtained from literature and document review were also used. The results show that out of 11 laboratories examined, only 2 laboratories met 50% of the requirements, which were Laboratory A and B, achieving good performance. Regarding the clauses of standards, a gap analysis identified leadership, performance evaluation, and support as elements with the lowest achievement. Therefore, corrective action should be developed by enhancing the commitment from management as well as improving documentation, policy, education and training.

Highlights

Laboratories in a higher education are usually used to conduct and support research and other academic activities
The present study aims to examine the implementation of bio-risk management systems in accordance with the recent international standard of International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
This study proposes an overview on the nature of bio-risk management systems in an educational setting in Indonesia, with various challenges faced in implementation

Summary

Introduction

Laboratories in a higher education are usually used to conduct and support research and other academic activities. Any laboratory, including ones in higher education, carries various risks and hazards. They are prone to emergency situations such as fire, chemical spills, infectious or biological agent contamination, and toxins [1]. Biological materials are considered as a main cause of incidents occurring in this field, Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs), which can contaminate the surrounding environment. The West Nile virus with SARS contamination infected a postgraduate student in Singapore in 2003 [2]. Other cases include the Ebola outbreak in Russia in 2004, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in Beijing, and tularaemia in Boston in 2004 [3]

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