This paper should be cited as: Jafari, AA. Saadat, P. Gharachaeii, S. Jafari, H.

The Frequency of the Accidental Contamination with Laboratory Samples in Yazd Clinical Laboratories’ personnel in 2011

Jafari, AA. (PhD)*1, Saadat, P.2 Gharachaeii, S.3 Jafari, H4.

1. Associate Professor of Mycology and Parasitology, International Campus, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

2. BSc Student of Medical Laboratory, School of Paramedicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

3. BSc Student of Medical Laboratory, School of Paramedicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

4. MD Student of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacodynamics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objective:Laboratory personnel have always accidental exposure to clinical samples, which can cause the transmission of infection. This threat can be prevented and controlled by education for the use of safety instruments. The purpose was to determine the frequency of accidental exposure to laboratory samples among Yazd laboratory personnel in 2011.

Material and Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 of Yazd clinical laboratory personnel. The data was collected, using a valid and reliable questioner,via interview and analyzed by means of SPSS software.

Results: Eighty-six percent of the subjects reported an experience of accidental exposure to clinical samples, such as blood, serum and urine. The causes were carelessness (41%) and work overload (29%). Needle-stick was the most prevalent injury (52%) particularly in sampler workers (51%) and in their hands (69%).There wasn’t significant relationship between accidental exposure to laboratory samples and the variables such as private and governmental laboratories (p=0.517), kind of employment (p=0.411), record of services (p=0.439) and academic degree (p=0.454).The subjects aged 20-29 (p=0.034) and worked in sampling unit had the highest accidental exposure.

Conclusion:Based on the results, inexperience of the personnel especially in sampling room, overload at work and ignorance of applying safety instruments are known as the most important reasons for accidental exposure to clinical samples.

Keywords: Contamination;Accidental Exposure; Infectious Agents; Laboratory; Personnel

Corresponding author:Jafari, AA.

Email: jafariabbas@ssu.ac.ir

Received16 Jan 2013 Revised 15 Sep 2013 Accepted 18 Sep 2013