Changes in clinical laboratory operations and biosafety measures to mitigate biohazard risks during the COVID-19 pandemic

Choy, Kay Weng

doi:10.1016/s2666-5247(20)30168-3

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…34,38,39 Laboratory staff becoming infected from handling samples was reported from Asian countries such as Singapore and Taiwan. 40 These current data demonstrated that 100% of the respondents were provided with enough PPE, which is much higher in comparison with other studies from Latin America and Nigeria. 41,42 However, the provision of health insurance to MLS was poor with only one respondent reporting that they received health insurance.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 51%

Medical laboratory staff satisfaction and their perspective on the role of health institutions to combat COVID-19 pandemic

et al. 2022

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Objective To assess the facilities and challenges encountered in the clinical laboratories, satisfaction of the medical laboratory staff (MLS) toward their profession and their views on the role of related health institutions during the first wave of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Nepal. Methods A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among registered MLS in Nepal. Data were collected using a structured self-reported questionnaire on the Google Docs platform. Results A total of 301 respondents were enrolled in the study; of which 180 were male and 121 were female. Of the 301 respondents, a lack of infrastructure was reported by 241 (80.1%), a lack of skill development training by 204 (67.8%), limited availability of diagnostics kits by 151 (50.2%), overburdened by the workload by 142 (47.2%) and difficulty in sample management by 129 (42.9%). A total of 244 of 301 respondents (81.1%) believed that stakeholder institutions should collaborate with the government during the pandemic. The level of satisfaction during the pandemic (130 of 301; 43.19%) was found to have decreased compared with before the pandemic (203 of 301; 67.4%). Conclusion MLS were not fully satisfied with the available resources during the pandemic.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 51%

Medical laboratory staff satisfaction and their perspective on the role of health institutions to combat COVID-19 pandemic

et al. 2022

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“…Preanalytics and the delivery and packaging of specimens posed concerns. However, laboratories responded to mitigate additional risks by introducing changes to these in line with international peers [14,15]. To ensure continuity of service and protection of staff, 98% of respondents made changes to staff rostering, which was accompanied by additional health and safety measures such as social distancing and wearing of masks in the workplace.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey of laboratory medicine’s national response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland

et al. 2021

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Background The global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic placed Irish Laboratory Medicine services under sustained and massive strain. Rapid reconfiguration was required to introduce new assays at high capacity for diagnosis and monitoring of COVID-19, while maintaining existing services. Aim The aim of this national survey was to capture Laboratory Medicine's response across the Republic of Ireland during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods An electronic survey developed using Microsoft Forms® was emailed on 5 October 2020 to 53 local representatives of the PeriAnalytic and Laboratory Medicine Society (PALMSoc), reaching 38 separate pathology departments in the country. Results A total of 45 responses from 38 laboratories were received (72% response rate) representing a range of departments and disciplines. Most laboratories (63%) introduced new tests, and in a time frame of less than 6 weeks (80%). Point-of-care testing (POCT) played a significant role in the response to COVID-19, with almost half of respondents (47%) reporting that additional equipment was introduced. Maintenance of the Quality Management System (QMS) proved challenging, with 60% of respondents indicating that not all aspects were sustained. When asked about changes to staff rostering, 98% of respondents reported that changes were made. All adjustments were made despite staffing challenges; only 18% of respondents described the staffing levels in their department as 100% prior to the onset of the first wave. Conclusions This study confirms an agile and resilient response to the COVID-19 pandemic from Ireland's Laboratory Medicine services despite many economic and staffing challenges.

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“…The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected many organisations across the world, including healthcare systems (hospitals, care homes, and medical laboratories), with increased workloads and risk of infection [1]. Healthcare workers (HCWs), including laboratory staff, serve on the front lines during outbreaks to detect, control, and slow down the transmission of the disease [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2022

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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.

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Changes in clinical laboratory operations and biosafety measures to mitigate biohazard risks during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 7 publications

References 5 publications

Medical laboratory staff satisfaction and their perspective on the role of health institutions to combat COVID-19 pandemic

Medical laboratory staff satisfaction and their perspective on the role of health institutions to combat COVID-19 pandemic

Survey of laboratory medicine’s national response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland

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

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