Ebola Information

 

Ebola Information

Lab Procedures for Ebola Specimens






Procedure Hazards Methods for Control
Specimen collection
  • Percutaneous injuries or needlesticks
  • Breakage of the specimen container
  • Care should be taken to avoid contamination of the external surfaces of the container.
  • Alert laboratory that specimens are being collected.
  • Place patient under contact and droplet precautions.
  • Adhere to updated PPE guidance.
  • Use plastic vacutainers.
  • Limit the use of sharps.
  • Wipe down all containers with hospital disinfectant.
  • Place specimens in sealed plastic bags and durable, leak-proof secondary containers for transport.
  • Disinfect specimens and container before transport.
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    Specimen transport
  • Breakage of the specimen container.
  • Hand-carry all specimens to the laboratory in a clearly labeled, durable, leak-proof secondary container.
    • Preparation of specimen for testing

    Typical testing ordered for these patients are CBC, chem. panel, Binax NOW rapid malaria test, Ebola PCR, and aerobic and anaerobic blood cultures.

  • Aerosolization, splash, or splatter
    		•
  • Minimize the number of workers handling the specimens.
  • Follow CDC recommended PPE guidance.
  • Perform work inside a certified class II BSC
  • Limit the traffic around the BSC.
  • Perform work over a disinfectant moistened paper towel.
  • Use only pipette tips with barrier filters.
  • Use a dedicated sharps container with added disinfectant.
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