Survey of Biorisk Management in Clinical Laboratories in Karachi,           Pakistan

Qasmi, Shamsul Arfin; Khan, Erum; Maqbool, Azhar Z.

doi:10.1177/153567601201700405

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 1 publication

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Gaudioso et al [32] found that biosafety training is routine in the US bioscience community. The importance of training laboratory researchers in biosafety and biosecurity [30] was emphasized in studies conducted by Goswami et al [31] , Hakim et al [33] and Qasmi et al [34] in developing countries. Biosafety training and proper use of PPE also help guard against LAIs [35] .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Status of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity in Veterinary Research Facilities in Nigeria

Odetokun

Jagun-Jubril

Onoja

et al. 2017

Safety and Health at Work

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundThis study determined current status of laboratory biosafety in Nigerian veterinary research facilities.MethodsA questionnaire was developed to obtain information from researchers across Nigeria from July 2014 to July 2015. Information regarding demographics, knowledge of laboratory biosafety, availability and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), any priority pathogens researched, attitude on and use of standard laboratory practices, and biosafety awareness was obtained using a numeric scoring system. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsA total of 74 participants from 19 facilities completed the questionnaire. General knowledge scores ranged from 3 to 28 (out of 28 possible points), with 94.6% of respondents receiving low scores (scores < mean + 1 standard deviation). Very few (17.6%) reported availability or use PPE. Many participants (63.5%) reported no access to biosafety level (BSL)-1–3 facilities. None reported availability of a BSL-4 facility. Knowledge scores pertaining to biosafety management practices ranged from 0 to 14 (out of 14 possible points) with 47.3% of respondents receiving good scores (scores > mean + 1 standard deviation). Only 16.2% of respondents (from four facilities) reported having biosafety officers. Rabies virus was the most researched pathogen (31.1% of respondents). The majority (71.6%) were unaware of laws guiding biosafety. Researchers [odds ratio (OR) = 18.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.63, 198.5; p = 0.023], especially in BSL-2 (OR = 258.5; 95% CI: 12.71, 5256; p < 0.001) facility of research institute (OR = 25.0; 95% CI: 5.18, 120.6; p < 0.001), are more likely to have adequate access to and properly utilize biosafety devices and PPE.ConclusionsCurrent knowledge of laboratory biosafety is limited except among a few researchers.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Status of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity in Veterinary Research Facilities in Nigeria

Odetokun

Jagun-Jubril

Onoja

et al. 2017

Safety and Health at Work

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Moreover, there was no system of Laboratory associated infections (LAI) reporting in place, and knowledge and training of biosecurity and biosafety were below the standards. (34) A study in AL Madinah city, Saudi Arabia revealed showed that about 68% of the workers were trained in laboratory safety, the majority (> 80%) followed guidelines for disposing medical wastes, decontamination of sample spills, and use of protective lab coats, and gloves. However, 24.2% of the participants used to eat, drink or use gum.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Occupational Safety Practices Among Medical Laboratory Staff in Governmental Hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Alshalani

Salama

2019

JSS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: workers in laboratories are faced with many occupational risks at work and their health and safety may be severely jeopardized if adequate preventive protective measures are not taken. Objectives: to assess the level of occupational safety practices among laboratory staff in governmental hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Method: It was a cross sectional descriptive study among 107 laboratory staff, and 28 labs. Data was collected by a self-administered validated structured questionnaire and observation checklist, which were developed, and validated by us using guidelines on universal work precautions and based on previous studies. Results: Overall, there was a positive knowledge of, and attitude towards, occupational safety practices among medical laboratory staff. Nationality and age group were the only two variables that were significantly correlated with occupational safety practices. Almost of the occupational safety practices subscales were followed in the assessed subscales, except for certain parameters including mainly personal protective equipment’s and electrical safety. Conclusion: Overall, a positive knowledge of, and attitude towards, occupational safety practices among medical laboratory staff was reported.

show abstract

“…4 Lack of awareness of biosafety measures and practices among clinical laboratory personnel and inadequate supply of biosafety equipment are the main reasons for poor biosafety performance in Pakistan. 5 A biorisk survey conducted among clinical laboratories in Karachi 6 identified that no biological safety cabinets (BSCs) were available in many biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) laboratories. Negligence with respect to all major practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), engineering controls, and risk assessment was observed.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Biosafety Performance in Selected Hospital Medical Laboratories in Karachi, Pakistan

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study assessed biosafety performance between 5 selected private-sector hospital medical laboratories in Karachi, Pakistan. A 40-question questionnaire was distributed among 120 technical staff to better understand the practices and awareness level of technical staff in place. To assess the supply of biosafety facilities and equipment to keep laboratory workers and the surrounding environment safe from an outbreak of infectious diseases, a checklist was designed. After securing informed consent, the researcher anonymously interviewed technical staff from all sections of the pathology laboratory, filled out the standard questionnaire, and completed the checklist through personal observations. Biosafety awareness recorded among 5 laboratory technical staff was moderate (72%). Major gaps identified with reference to biosafety measures were in administrative controls, standard microbiological practices, and facility design/secondary barriers. The gaps included the following: the biosafety officer is appointed in only 1 laboratory, standard operating procedures are not in place in 3 laboratories, no training protocol is defined for staff, no immunization record is maintained, and incident reporting and recording is lacking at most laboratories. There is an adequate supply of simple personal protective equipment like gloves, goggles, masks, and lab coats. However, complex equipment, such as eyewash stations and biological safety cabinets, is not available in many laboratories. In Karachi, Pakistan, biosafety performance is compromised in most of the laboratories, but better performance also is demonstrated by laboratories that are accredited and certified.

show abstract

Survey of Biorisk Management in Clinical Laboratories in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract: This study was designed to survey the existing Biosafety and Biosecurity levels of the clinical laboratories in order to assess the controls in place to keep the laboratory workers, and the surrounding community, safe from an outbreak of infectious diseases in Karachi, Pakistan.

Cited by 9 publications

References 1 publication

Status of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity in Veterinary Research Facilities in Nigeria

Status of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity in Veterinary Research Facilities in Nigeria

Assessment of Occupational Safety Practices Among Medical Laboratory Staff in Governmental Hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Analysis of Biosafety Performance in Selected Hospital Medical Laboratories in Karachi, Pakistan

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About