Medical Laboratory Workers Research Articles

Ergonomic Practice in Medical Laboratory Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Lahore

Objective: To evaluate the ergonomics practice pattern among medical laboratory professionals to determine the ergonomic deficiencies to improve the workplace quality and safety at a tertiary care hospital in Lahore Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in department of pathology, King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital, Lahore from November 2019 to January 2020. All the workers engaged in all the sections of the clinical laboratory were included in the study. The results were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which included demographic information, ergonomic practices, workplace layouts and equipment utilization pattern. Individuals were instructed to complete the questionnaires in accordance to their own specific time range and return it after filling. All the data was gathered from the surveys and then coded and securely stored in a database for further analysis and interpretation. Results: Average age of the participants was 26.80±5.70 years. Several participants reported appropriate bench heights (70.7%) and tools within arm’s reach (62.2%), deficiencies were noted in foot and knee clearance, with only 50.0% and 53.7% respectively. Limited provision of foot rails (11.0%) and floor mats (31.7%) for prolonged standing tasks was seen. Seated benches showed similar disparities, with notable deficiencies in adjustable armrests (32.9%) and footrests (29.3%). Microscope usage demonstrated challenges in maintaining neutral posture (65.1%), while pipette use and micro-manipulation tools highlighted the need for improved accessibility and ergonomic support. Conclusion: Study revealed the varying levels of ergonomic appropriateness across the workplace and equipment among medical laboratory workers, with significant inadequacies in foot and knee clearance, the presence of foot rails, floor mats, adjustable armrests, and foot rests. Difficulties in using a microscope, as well as concerns about pipettes and micro-manipulation equipment, underscored the need for improved accessibility and ergonomics.

Occupational Hazards and Safety Measures Among Medical Laboratories Staff in Eastern Province- KSA

Background: With the increase in interest and awareness about occupational health and safety. However, in Saudi Arabia, few studies have been conducted about the condition of workers in medical laboratories. Objectives: This study attempted to determine the main occupational hazards among medical laboratory staff in Eastern Province- KSA. To assess and evaluate the safety measures undertaken by the medical laboratory staff in Eastern Province- KSA, as well as to identify the factors which hinder the implementation of good occupational safety and health (OSH) practice among medical laboratory staff in Eastern Province- KSA. Method: This was a cross-sectional study research design that entailed the use of a modified structured questionnaire. The study was conducted in 10 medical laboratories out of 105 samples from the respondents. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28, basic descriptive statistical analysis used to perform the following: frequency account, and count percentages. Bar charts and pie charts were used for the presentation of descriptive statistics. Result: The most common types of occupational hazards in medical laboratories are biological hazards are bacteria (39.45%). Meanwhile, the most common chemical hazards include flammable liquids and solids (33%). Whereas, the most common physical hazards the most common were related to electricity (26.32 %). The most contributive control measure to mitigate occupational hazards is providing PPE (94.3%). The most common factors that stymie good practice in medical laboratories included poor laboratory design (61% and lack of awareness about laboratory safety procedures (58.1%). Conclusion: Increasing awareness about safety procedures within medical laboratories and improving the infrastructure and design of laboratories will greatly contribute to the prevention of risks to which medical laboratory staff is exposed.

Effects of the Noise Reduction and Communication Management Headset System SLOS on Noise and Stress of Medical Laboratory Workers.

To investigate the effects of the Silent Laboratory Optimization System (SLOS), a technical-noise reduction and communication-management system, on noise load and stress among medical-laboratory workers. We conducted a quasiexperimental field study (20days with SLOS as the experimental condition, and 20days without SLOS as the control condition) in a within-subjects design. Survey data from 13 workers were collected before and after the shift. Also, a survey was conducted after the control and experimental conditions, respectively. Noise was measured in dBA and as a subjective assessment. Stress was operationalized via a stress composite score (STAI and Perkhofer Stress Scale), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), an exhaustion score (Leipziger StimmungsBogen in German [LSB]), and salivary cortisol values in µg/L. SLOS users perceived significantly less noise (V=76.5; P =.003). Multilevel models revealed a stress reduction with the SLOS on the composite score, compared with a stress increase in the control condition (F[1, 506.99]=6.00; P=.01). Alower PSS score (F[1,13]=4.67; P=.05) and a lower exhaustion level (F[1, 508.72]=9.057; P=.003) in the experimental condition were found, whereas no differences in cortisol (F[1,812.58.6]=0.093; P=.76) were revealed. The workers showed reduced noise perception and stress across all criteria except cortisol when using SLOS.

Evaluation of Performance Quality of Workers in Medical Laboratories within the Health Sector under the Corona Pandemic in Al-Muthana Governorate/Iraq

Laboratory performance is a relative concept, but it is crucial in the whole testing process, as are quality and safety. The study aimed to assess the quality of performance of workers in medical laboratories within the health sector during the Corona pandemic. 
 Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at 3 hospitals, 19 PHCCs distributed in 5 sectors, and 1 Public Health Laboratory randomly selected ( using a Multistage random sampling method) in Muthanna governorate. The period of study starts on 1 December 2021 – 31 March 2021. 
 Results: The study found that 77.0% of the participants had a moderate assessment score, followed by 20.4% having a good assessment score. At the same time, the lowest percentage (2.6%) of the employees have a poor assessment score. 
 Conclusions: The study finds that the overall evaluation of employees towards laboratory services is moderate and acceptable. Laboratory performance is a relative concept, but it is crucial in the whole testing process, as are quality and safety. The study aimed to assess the quality of performance of workers in medical laboratories within the health sector during the Corona pandemic. 
 Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at 3 hospitals, 19 PHCCs distributed in 5 sectors, and 1 Public Health Laboratory randomly selected ( using a Multistage random sampling method) in Muthanna governorate. The period of study starts on 1 December 2021 – 31 March 2021. 
 Results: The study found that 77.0% of the participants had a moderate assessment score, followed by 20.4% having a good assessment score. At the same time, the lowest percentage (2.6%) of the employees have a poor assessment score. Conclusions: The study finds that the overall evaluation of employees towards laboratory services is moderate and acceptable.
 

Healthcare workers’ willingness to report to work during a pandemic in southeastern Nigeria: A hypothetical case using Ebola virus disease

Background: The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak of 2014–2016 in West Africa was the world’s deadliest to date, and the World Health Organization declared it an international health emergency. It adversely affected the health system with many healthcare workers (HCWs) being worried about going to work. Objective: This study therefore aimed at determining the willingness of HCWs to report to work in an outbreak of EVD. Materials and Methods: A semi-structured, self-administered, questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 360 doctors, nurses, and medical laboratory workers in public and private health facilities in Enugu Metropolis. Results: Seventy-three percent (73%) of our respondents were willing to report to work during an outbreak of EVD. Nurses were about five times more likely to be willing to work than other categories of staff [odd ratio (OR) = 4.999; confidence interval (CI)= 2.15–11.597; P < 0.001] and female HCWs were about 1.3 times more likely to be willing to work than males during an EVD outbreak (OR =1.275; CI=0.743–2.815; P = 0.049). Availability of vaccination for healthcare staff (88.6%) and family members (79.2%) were the greatest personal and family-related motivating factors for willingness to work, whereas the provision of antiviral treatment for staff with unprotected exposure to an ill patient (78.1%) was the greatest work motivating factor. However, passion for work surpassed increased remuneration (61.4%) as a personal motivating factor for HCWs willingness to report to work during an EVD outbreak. Conclusion: Our study showed that HCWs were largely willing to work during an EVD outbreak. Personal vaccination for staff and family members and provision of antivirals were the major motivating factors.

Preservation of muscle tissue with a formaldehyde-free borax solution for gross anatomy lessons

It is known that formaldehyde has serious toxicological effects on medical students, laboratory workers and environmental health. Recently various scientists search for a safe preservation fluid instead of the formaldehyde. One of them and the famous one is the Thiel’s embalming solution. However, it has been realized that it causes deterioration in muscle tissues. It was determined that this deterioration was caused by the boric acid. In the present study, previously formalin fixed muscle tissues were stored into the alkali form of boron during 40 days. At the end of the trial the appearance of the borax stored cadavers was quite similar to the formalin stored cadavers. In cross-sections taken from the muscle tissues, no deterioration could observe. Additionally, there was no putrid odor; on the contrary, a slight level of formaldehyde odor. In microbiological tests, there was a slight insignificant increase in the total number of bacteria in borax solutions. As a result, it was concluded that borax could be used as a cadaveric storage solution, and it can be more appropriate to use borax instead of boric acid in Thiel's solution.

Assessment of biosafety and biorisk management practices among medical laboratory students in two institutions in Uganda

Medical laboratory workers handle clinical specimens, which are a threat of exposure to infectious agents. Notably, medical laboratory science students report for internships with only theoretical knowledge of biosafety and biorisk management practices, predisposing them to a higher risk of laboratory hazards. In this study, we assessed the influence of entry-level students' adherence to practices and attitudes towards biosafety and biorisk management during the Internship. An online survey tool was used to explore the practices and attitudes towards laboratory biosafety and risk management. Of the 96 students, 60 (62.5%) anonymous responses were received, and of these, 60.3% were direct entrants, and 32.8% were diploma entrants. Most (91.7%) of the students attended hospital internships, with 60.2% in Biosafety Level (BSL)-2 laboratories and 70.2% rotating in all the core areas of laboratory medicine. The 8.3% who did not attend any internship were under the direct entry category. Exposure to biohazards was not significantly associated with laboratory safety level and student entry category (P> 0.05). Recommended laboratory biosafety practices were not significantly associated with the safety level of the laboratory and student entry category (P> 0.05). Poor attitudes towards certain laboratory biosafety practices were not significantly associated with the biosafety level of the training laboratory (P> 0.05), whereas training (P = 0.021) and clean-up procedures (P = 0.048) were associated with laboratory safety levels, respectively. The direct entrants had no access to BSL-3 laboratories, and this category of students had a negative attitude towards internship attendance. Therefore, there is a need to create a multi-channel full range laboratory biosafety and biorisk management teaching reforms based on practical application, real case studies, and laboratory simulation to be incorporated into the curriculum to benefit the direct entrant.

COVID-19 cases among medical laboratory services staff in South Africa, 2020-2021: A cohort study.

Medical laboratory workers may have an increased risk of COVID-19 due to their interaction with biological samples received for testing and contamination of documents. Records of COVID-19 laboratory-confirmed positive cases within the medical laboratory service were routinely collected in the company's Occupational Health and Safety Information System (OHASIS). Surveillance data from the OHASIS system were extracted from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. An epidemic curve was plotted and compared to that for the country, along with prevalence proportions and incidence rates. The odds of COVID-19 infection were categorised by job and compared to the US Occupational Risk Scores. A logistic regression model assessed the risk of COVID-19 infection per occupational group. A total of 2091 (26% of staff) COVID-19 positive cases were reported. The number of COVID-19 cases was higher in the first wave at 46% (967/2091) of cases, than in the second wave 40% (846/2091) of cases. There was no significant difference in COVID-19 prevalence between male and female employees. The job categories with the most increased risk were laboratory managers [AOR 3.2 (95%CI 1.9-5.1)] and laboratory support clerks [AOR 3.2 (95%CI 1.9-5.2)]. Our study confirms that some categories of medical laboratory staff are at increased risk for COVID-19; this is a complex interaction between workplace risk factors, community interaction, socioeconomic status, personal habits, and behaviour. Targeted interventions are recommended for high-risk groups. OHASIS has the potential to generate data for surveillance of health care workers and contribute towards a South African risk profile.

The WAA welcomes the Israeli Society of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine as their newest society member

The Israeli Transfusion Medicine Working Group (ITMWG) members are engaged in all aspects of Transfusion Medicine and Apheresis. ITMWG members are medical doctors, PhD's, laboratory workers, medical technologists and apheresis operators.

Hygienic Assessment of Risks of Thermal Balance Disruption in Medical Laboratory Workers Using Personal Protective Equipment for Biohazards

Introduction: Specifics of activities of medical personnel in different types of laboratories can potentially create working conditions that violate occupational safety and health regulations. Objective: The study aimed to assess health risks of thermal balance disruption in PCR laboratory staff wearing personal protective equipment for biohazards in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in winter 2020–2021 in PCR laboratories of the Volgograd Region. It included measurements of laboratory microclimate parameters, such as relative humidity, air temperature and velocity, used to estimate the heat load index. An observation cohort of 31 female medical laboratory workers aged 32.48 ± 1.45 years with a three to nine months experience of work in the PCR laboratory was formed to monitor the thermal state at the start and end of the work shift by measuring skin temperature at five points, sublingual temperature, and heat sensation. The results of measurements were used to estimate the mean skin temperature and heart rate while the dynamics of work ability was assessed by the results of contact tremorometry. Results: We established a significant increase in all measured values. The mean skin temperature at the end of the shift reached 33.85 ± 0.24 °C, thus exceeding the upper limit of the permissible value. The heart rate and heat sensation parameters approached the upper values of the maximum permissible thermal state of a person. Contact tremorometry results indicated a decrease in the performance by the end of the work shift. The findings gave evidence of tension of thermoregulatory reactions and the risk of thermal balance disruption posed by the use of a specific type of personal protective equipment in the PCR laboratory. Conclusion: The research results provide strong support for the conclusion that the use of PPE for biohazards poses a risk of thermal balance disruption in medical laboratory personnel. The severity of stress of thermoregulatory reactions depends on technical and design characteristics of the PPE used. The necessity of a physiological and hygienic substantiation of acceptable duration of work of medical workers wearing various types of PPE for biohazards in PCR laboratories justifies the importance of further studies.

Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Laboratory Workers in Libya: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and objectives. Healthcare workers are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection than the general population due to frequent contact with infected individuals. However, Medical Lab workers at a higher risk of this contagious disease than those who work in other departments. This study aimed to analyze the perspectives of medical lab workers, in terms of the challenges, financial implications, fears, motivation, and satisfaction from organizational processes and policies adopted, amid the COVID-19 crisis. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 25 to April 9, among Libyan Medical Lab workers in three public hospital laboratories. Data on participant characteristics were collected with a specifically designed questionnaire. The responses were recorded on a five-point Likert Scale (1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree and 5 = strongly agree). The statistical analysis was performed using the Microsoft Excel 2019. Frequency and percentages were calculated for gender, experience, and designation while descriptive results based on the responses were also recorded. Results. The study yielded a sample size of 90 participants. Of these 66 (73%) reported that the current lifestyle adopted during the pandemic was not better than the traditional one. Around 72 (80%) of the responses were not fear of employment termination amid the COVID-19 crisis. However, financial challenges were being faced by 63 (70%) respondents. The quality of family life was improved in 48 (53%) cases while 54 (60%) were of the view that their social activities at work have suffered. Furthermore, 60 (67%) did not feel the same level of motivation to come to work every morning during the outbreak, as before. Similarly, 60 (67%) were not satisfied with the measures taking by the management during the outbreak. Conclusion. The results of this survey provide a laboratorians perspective during times of crisis and provide us certain lessons to plan for such unexpected circumstances in the future.

Psychological Distress, Early Behavioral Response, and Perception Toward the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Health Care Workers in North Shoa Zone, Oromiya Region.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant psychological impact on health care workers (HCWs). Therefore, this study inspects the mental health status, behavioral response, and perception among HCWs (nurses, physicians, and medical laboratory workers) during the COVID-19 pandemic in public health care facilities.Methods: A facilities-based cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2020. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data were collected by self-report administered questionnaires using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression, General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) for insomnia, Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) for psychological distress, Perceived Threat Scale for perception, and Behavioral Response Inquiry for the behavioral response. Moreover, bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions analysis was used to identify the association between dependent and independent variables at p-value <0.05.Results: A total of 417 (98.6%) HCWs responded to a self-administered questionnaire. The proportion of HCWs who had moderate to severe symptoms of psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and insomnia during the COVID-19 pandemic were 58, 16.3, 30.7, and 15.9%, respectively. Three-fifth of the nurses, medical laboratory professionals (62.2%), and physicians (59.2%) had reported good behavioral responses toward the COVID-19 pandemic. More than three-fifths of the nurses had reported poor perception toward the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversely, 61.2% of physicians and three-fourths (75.5%) of medical laboratory professionals had reported good perception toward the COVID-19 pandemic. Female and married participants, those working in the emergency unit, those with poor behavioral responses, and those with poor perception toward the COVID-19 pandemic were significantly associated with symptoms of psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.Conclusions: Psychological impacts among physicians, nurses, and medical laboratory professionals are high during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health should aim to protect all HCWs' psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic with appropriate interventions and accurate information response.

Knowledge of Biosafety Measures among Laboratory Personnel at Tertiary Level Public Hospitals in Dhaka City

Background: Biosafety is the principles, technologies and practices that are implemented to prevent the unintentional exposure to pathogens and toxins.&#x0D; Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess the Status of biosafety safety measures practice by medical laboratory workers in public hospitals of Dhaka city.&#x0D; Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with Data from Medical Laboratory Workers of Tertiary Level Public Hospitals of Dhaka City using a Semi-Structured Questionnaire. The study was conducted from May 2015 to November 2015. It was designed to assess the Status of Practicing Biosafety Safety Measures in Tertiary Level Public Hospitals of Dhaka City. The knowledge, training, level of education on Biosafety were assessed by medical laboratory workers.&#x0D; Result: The Data of this study is obtained from a total of 238 respondents. In this study it is observed that 224(94%) respondents could not say the concept of Biosafety as defined by WHO. In this study 118(49%) respondents do not know about biosafety cabinet and 84(35%) could say up to Biosafety Level IV and 36(15%) can say up to Biosafety Level 3. Orientation with biosafety tools is observed in 138(58%) respondents, 76(32%) got training during course and 78(33%) got training during service.&#x0D; Conclusion: In conclusion knowledge and training on biosafety of the laboratory worker are inadequate.&#x0D; Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases 2020;7(2):49-56

What Industrial Categories Are Workers at Excess Risk of Filing a COVID-19 Workers' Compensation Claim? A Study Conducted in 11 Midwestern US States.

Objective:Determine the industries with the highest proportion of accepted COVID-19 related workers’ compensation (WC) claims.Methods:Study included 21,336 WC claims (1898 COVID-19 and 19,438 other claims) that were filed between January 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020 from 11 states in the Midwest United States.Result:The overwhelming proportion of all COVID-19 related WC claims submitted and accepted were from healthcare workers (83.77%). Healthcare was the only industrial classification that was at significantly higher COVID-19 WC claim submission risk (odds ratio [OR]: 4.00; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 2.77 to 5.79) controlling for type of employment, sex, age, and presumption of COVID-19 work-relatedness. Within healthcare employment, WC claims submitted by workers in medical laboratories had the highest risk (crude rate ratio of 8.78).Conclusion:Healthcare employment is associated with an increased risk of developing COVID-19 infections and submitting a workers’ compensation claim.

Safety in Medical Laboratories: Perception and Practice of University Students and Laboratory Workers.

Several safety-related accidents occur in the laboratories because of insufficient regulations, inappropriate implementation of safety measures, or unawareness attitude and practices toward safety precautions. Thus, establishment of efficient regulations and safe habits toward workplace safety is crucial to prevent or minimize such accidents. Here we investigate the levels of laboratory safety awareness among undergraduate medical science students and laboratory workers at major hospitals in Taif, Saudi Arabia. An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted on a random sample of 185 students and workers. The survey was categorized into five sections: (1) variable demographic items, (2) orientation around the warning signage of medical laboratory picograms, (3) assess participants' attitudes toward laboratory safety, (4) assess participants' safety awareness and practices in medical laboratories, and (5) assess participants' knowledge in dealing with emergency equipment and related procedures. Data analyses indicate that workers are generally more aware of the key aspects of laboratory safety. Although students demonstrated moderate to good knowledge of major laboratory signage, there are some areas of deficiency, particularly regarding the use of fire extinguishers. Of interest is that female students are more familiar with laboratory signage than male students, although general laboratory safety awareness among students is poor. Students also showed poor awareness of certain critical aspects of safety practices and emergency procedures. The study data reveal inadequate awareness and knowledge of certain laboratory safety aspects among undergraduate students. Therefore, academic institutions should introduce effective safety regulations, education, and training to improve student safety.

Awareness of Personal Protective Equipment Among Laboratory Workers in Tertiary Health Centre, Ibadan

Introduction Health care personnel are exposed to a variety of material occupational health hazards while handling biological material and contaminated equipment. The use of appropriate and good qualitypersonal protective equipment in work places cannot be over emphasized. Several years ago, this need was highlighted to several physicians like Sir Thomas Morrison Legye. He identified the role of the employer of labour and those of the employee in reducing workplace hazards and consequently achieving a healthy workplace environment. Objectives This study was to determine level of awareness and utilization of Personal Protective Equipment among Medical Laboratory workers. Methods A questionnaire was structured with two sections and a total of 92 were administered. A pilot study was also carried out before the administration of the questionnaire. The data collected was analyzed on Microsoft excel spreadsheet in duplicate. It was then exported into EPI info version 3.4.1. Data was presented using frequency tables and chi square. Results About 77.3%, 72.9%, and 72.7% were aware of the use of goggle, gloves, and importance of hand washing in preventing exposure to Healthcare associated infections while working on patients’ samples. However, under the socio- demographic characteristics of the respondents and awareness level at P-value &lt; 0.5 the results were 0.02. 0.5, 0.85, 0.92 for education, gender, years in service and age respectively. Hence, there is no significant relationship between respondents’ gender, age and year in service, and level of awareness. Conclusion The hospital management should ensure regular provision and supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure continual usage. Also, regular training and re-training should be conducted to keep the laboratory workers at briefs with latest innovative and benefits of PPE developments to this end.

Quality of care for tuberculosis patients in public health facilities of Debre Tabor town, Northwest Ethiopia.

BackgroundEven though there are different tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control measures implemented globally including Ethiopia, TB is still major public health problem. This is partly due to compromised quality of care delivered for tuberculosis patients in health facilities (HFs) during diagnosis, treatment and follows-up. Thus this study is intended to determine the quality of care delivered for TB patients in all public HFs of Debre Tabor town, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsCross sectional study was conducted from January to May 2018. Data were collected with face-to-face interview and TB registration book review using structured questionnaire and checklist respectively. Collected data was entered and processed using SPSS and P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The quality of care for each HF was graded as very good, good, moderate, poor and very poor if HFs achieve [90–100%], [80–90%), [70–80%), [60–70%) and <60% of performance indicators respectively using Donabedian structure, process and outcome model of health care quality.ResultsAll HFs have sputum collection area, enough microscopic slide, at least one functional microscope and sufficient anti TB drug supply. But HFs lack backup laboratory stains. Overall structural aspects of quality of care in all HFs were very poor achieving 42.5–52.9% structural performance indicators out of 100%. Similarly the overall process aspects of quality of care was poor in all public HFs which achieved 60–68.9% of the scores out of 100%. In the study; 68.9%, 54.5% and 80.6% of Medical Laboratory, pharmacy and other healthcare workers (HWs) provided correct response respectively on TB causative agent, risk factor, transmission, treatment, prevention, case management and case finding strategies. HWs who knew at least two TB case finding strategies in DTH was significantly higher than those HWs working in Health Centers (P = 0.004). On the other hand, except Ginbot 20 HC, HFs was graded as good by scoring 86.6–89.3% of performance indicators on the outcome aspects of quality of care. In all HFs studied, all TB patients’ unit TB registration number, sex, age, TB category, treatment initiation date and intensive phase treatment start year were properly registered. Moreover 110 (78%) and 147 (69%) contact person address in DTH and HCs was properly registered on TB unit register book respectively with no statistical difference in hospital and HCs (P = 0.063). There was proper TB patients’ address registration in hospital than HCs studied (P< 0.001).ConclusionsThe outcome aspects of quality of care for TB patients in all HFs were promising. But structural & process aspects of quality of care was compromised which necessitate different corrective actions to be taken by different stakeholders to enhance quality of care for TB patients in public HFs studied. Moreover based on the study findings, continuous supply of drugs, laboratory equipment and reagents, availing current guideline/s in HFs, providing up-to-date training for HWs on TB and proper documentation are important to improve quality of care provided for TB patients.

Assessment of Chemical Risks in Moroccan Medical Biology Laboratories in Accordance with the CLP Regulation.

BackgroundMedical laboratory workers are frequently exposed to a wide range of chemicals. This exposure can have adverse effects on their health. Furthermore, a knowledge lack of the chemical risk increases the likelihood of exposure. The chemical risk assessment reduces the risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals and therefore, guarantees health and safety of the workers.MethodThe chemical risk assessment was conducted using a modified INRS method, according to the new CLP Regulation, of 11 unit laboratories in a Moroccan medical laboratory. Observation of each workstation and analysis of safety data sheets are key tools in this study.ResultsA total of 144 substances and reagents that could affect the health of the analytical technicians were identified. Among these products, 17% are concerned by the low priority risk score, with 55% concerned by the average priority risk score and 28% concerned by the high priority risk score. This study also enabled to better identify the chemical agents that have restrictive occupational exposure limit value and controls were conducted to this effect. On the basis of the results obtained, several corrective and preventive measures have been proposed and implemented.ConclusionRisk assessment is essential to ensure the health and safety of workers and to meet regulatory requirements. It enables to identify all the risky manipulations and to adopt appropriate preventive measures. However, it is not a one-time activity but it must be continuous in order to master the changes and thus ensure the best safety of all.

Hepatitis B vaccine knowledge and self-reported vaccination status among healthcare workers in a conflict region in northeastern Nigeria.

BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is highly endemic in Nigeria. The primary objective of this study is to describe the knowledge, self-reported vaccination status, and intention of healthcare workers to receive hepatitis B vaccine at a tertiary referral center in conflict-ravaged northeastern Nigeria.MethodsThis was cross-sectional analytical study among medical practitioners, nurses, laboratory workers, health attendants, pharmacists, and radiographers working at Federal Medical Center Nguru, Yobe State. Written informed consent was obtained from all study participants. Data were obtained using questionnaires and entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, cleaned and analyzed using JMP Pro software.ResultsOf the 182 participants, we found that 151 (82.97%), 81 (44.51%), 85 (46.70%), and 33 (18.13%) had good knowledge of HBV, good knowledge of hepatitis B vaccine, were vaccinated against HBV by the least dose, and had a complete hepatitis B vaccination status, respectively. The lack of availability of the vaccine was the main reason for not receiving the vaccine among the unvaccinated 36/91 (39.56%), followed by not knowing where to access the vaccine 19/91 (20.88%).ConclusionThe study highlights the need for strategies to ensure the availability of hepatitis B vaccine in conflict settings and need for vaccinology training given the suboptimal level of awareness and uptake of the hepatitis B vaccine among the healthcare workers.

Bacterial contamination of mobile phones of medical laboratory workers at Sana’a city, Yemen and their antimicrobial susceptibility

Context: Mobile phones of laboratory workers could harbor a variety of potentially pathogenic bacteria that cause nosocomial infection for the patients, self, and family members. Aims: To determine the bacterial contamination on mobile phones belonging to the medical laboratory workers and assessment the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolated bacteria at Sana’a city, Yemen. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2020 on 100 laboratory workers’ mobile phones, which were randomly selected by moistened sterile swabs. The data were collected by using a designed questionnaire. The collected samples were transported to the microbiology laboratory at Al-Razi University for bacteria isolation and identification by standard bacteriological procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by the disc diffusion methods. Results: The results revealed that the overall rate of bacterial contamination on the mobile phone was 70% with one type of pathogenic bacteria (88.6%). Staphylococcus aureus (34.6%) was the most frequently isolated bacteria followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (23.1%), Pseudomonas sp. (20.5%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (15.4%), Enterobacter aergene (2.5%), Escherichia coli (1.3%), Citrobacter intermedites (1.3%), and Citrobacter freundiii (1.3%). The antibiotics susceptibility tests revealed that the highest sensitivity were S. aureus, S. epidermides, and S. saprophyticus against gentamycin, Pseudomonas sp. against kanamycin, E. aergenes against all tested antibiotics, and C. intermedites against gentamycin, vancomycin, and kanamycin. Also, Pseudomonas sp. was highly resistant to cefepime and vancomycin and S. saprophyticus to cefepime. Conclusions: Mobile phones might play a role in the transmission of potentially pathogenic bacteria. It is required to promote personal hygiene and regularly disinfect the mobile phones and hands by alcohol before leaving the lab to minimize the cross-infection to the community and environment.