Biosafety Practices in Different Clinical Laboratories in Karachi, Pakistan

Authors

  • Saeed Khan Dow University of Health Sciences
  • Fatin Zehra Molecular Pathology, Dow Diagnostic Reference and Research Laboratory, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Noorulaine Maqsood Molecular Pathology, Dow Diagnostic Reference and Research Laboratory, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Maria Zahid Molecular Pathology, Dow Diagnostic Reference and Research Laboratory, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Bilal Ahmed Molecular Pathology, Dow Diagnostic Reference and Research Laboratory, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi, Pakistan.

Keywords:

Biosafety, laboratory, practices, Karachi

Abstract

Introduction:

In Pakistan the number of diagnostic and research laboratories is increasing in both public andprivate sectors but there is still a lack of awareness regarding biosafety practices among the lab employees.These employees can be technicians, technologists, researchers or even keeping staff who gets exposed directlyor indirectly to a plethora of pathogens daily. The need is to spread awareness regarding the importance offundamental biosafety practices.

Objective:

To determine and compare the level of awareness and implementation regarding biosafety practicesamong different laboratories and their workers in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methodology:

A survey was conducted from 10 different diagnostic laboratories of Karachi, participants wereinterviewed and made to fill out a questionnare.

Result:

In the category of general safety 60% confirmed that they receive a formal biosafety training. 20%of the participants received a safety handbook. Usage of personal protective equipments were 80%.however10% labs provide eye station and emergency shower facilitiy and 60% of the participants confirmed that firestation was not available in their lab. In the category of equipments, 80% of the participants agreed that theirequipments were in working order, 60%of the participants confirmed that the PPM of their equipments werecarried out on regular basis and Back up cold storage was available in only 20% of the laboratories.40% of the participants said that the maintenance of biosafety 

Conclusion:

The outcome of our survey confirms a lack of practice and implementation of good biosafetypractices in the clinical laboratories.

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Author Biography

Saeed Khan, Dow University of Health Sciences

Molecular Pathology

References

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Published

2014-12-01

How to Cite

Khan, S., Zehra, F. ., Maqsood, N. ., Zahid, M. ., & Ahmed, B. . (2014). Biosafety Practices in Different Clinical Laboratories in Karachi, Pakistan. Journal of the Dow University of Health Sciences (JDUHS), 8(3), 94–97. Retrieved from https://mail.jduhs.com/index.php/jduhs/article/view/1426

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Original Articles