d. The HBsAg, HCV, HTLV-l, and so forth, testing should be done in a
segregated area.
e. Hands should be washed before leaving the testing area (PVP iodine
scrub is suggested). A sink in these laboratories should have a foot pedal, knee
controls, or elbow blades.
f.
Laboratory coats worn in the HBsAg testing area should be changed
before returning to the general laboratory.
g. All test kits with positive controls and any blood that tests positive should
be segregated if placed in refrigerators containing blood or blood products for
transfusion.
h. The HBsAg, HCV, HTLV-l, and so forth positive material and disposal
equipment used in testing for HBsAg should be placed in Ieakproof containers, labeled
as infectious, and autoclaved or incinerated. Appropriate disposal methods must be
used with all radioactive waste material. Consult the radiation safety official or
committee of your institution for instructions regarding discarding radioactive materials.
i.
Bench tops in test areas should be covered with nonabsorbent paper
and be free of extraneous material (forms, reports, slips, and so forth.). General
cleaning with bleach (1:5 dilution of hypochlorite) is recommended. Spills can be
treated with cloth or paper material wetted with undiluted bleach. Liquid waste can be
treated with equal volumes of hypochlorite, two percent formaldehyde, or other
disinfectants suggested by the Center of Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia.
j.
Remember that positive controls and proficiency test samples are
potentially infectious. Avoid entering vials with needles to prevent accidental parenteral
exposure.
k.
The HBsAg, HCV, HTLV-l positive blood, or secretions may be
accidentally ingested by, or inoculated into, potentially susceptible individuals (those
lacking anti-HBs). If so, prophylactic injections of immune serum globulin (lSG) or
hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG), if available, should be given. Careful follow-up for
evidence of type B viral hepatitis for 9 months is advised.
MD0846
3-45