Identify different types of containers for sharps, infectious and non infectious materials

Explain the significance of safety measures when collecting specimens

Learning Objectives

Specimen

Is a small sample or part taken to show the nature of the whole, such as a small quantity of urine for urinalysis, or a small fragment of tissue for microscopic study

Routine specimens

Are specimens which performed regularly in the laboratory

Non-routine specimens

are specimen which are not performed regularly in the laboratory.

Examples are CSF, Ascitic fluid, pleural fluid etc

Routine specimens includes;

Stool

Is a waste material excreted from the intestines

Urine

Is a waste material/fluid excreted from the kidney

Blood

Blood is the fluid that circulates in the blood vessels of the body. Blood consists of plasma and cells floating within it.

Is a substance that is brought up from the lungs and airway when a person coughs or spits. It is usually a mixture of saliva and mucus

Pus

Is a thick white or yellowish fluid that forms in areas of infection such as wounds and abscesses. It is constituted of decomposed body tissue, bacteria or other micro organisms that cause the infection, and certain white blood cells.

TYPES OF ROUTINE SPECIMEN

Methods of collecting routine specimens includes

Individual collection

Assisted collection such as blood

Specimen containers

Specific container depends on which test will be done

Correct specimen bottle can be identified by the color of its top or the label they carry

Vacutainer tubes identified by the label on it

Tourniquet

Needles and syringes

Gloves

Aprons or laboratory coats

Alcohol swabs

Cotton Gauze/Wool

Hand towels/tissue paper (Preferably disposable)

Waste disposal containers

Sharps bin (For disposal of sharps)

Infectious waste bin (For disposal of non sharp infectious materials)

Non infectious bean (For disposal of non infectious materials)

Marker pen for marking or labelling of specimen and forms

Disinfectant (e.g. Jik, Clorox)

Antiseptic for hand washing

Bandages or plasters

Gloves

Biohazard waste containers

Liquid soap

Register and Request forms

Urine specimen container

Centrifuge machine

Slides

Cover slips

Microscope

Pasteur pipettes

Hand towels (preferably single use

Materials required to prepare for the examination of urine

Venous blood is collected in the following sites (veins)

Median Cubital Vein. (NO.1)

A superficial vein, most commonly used for venepuncture. It lies over the cubital fossa and serves as an anastomosis between the cephalic and basilic vein

Shown in both the forearm and arm, it can be followed where it empties into the axillary vein

Basilic Vein.(NO.3)

Seen in the forearm and arm, it dives to join the brachial; best area for venepuncture is antecubital fossa area

Capillary blood is collected from the side of the finger in adults and children. Avoid the tip of the finger as it is very sensitive. In infants, collect capillary from the side of the heel.

Infant heels are appropriate for blood collection until approximately 6 months to one year

Never exceed 2.4 mm in puncture depth

Never puncture the posterior curvature of the heel or the arch of the foot

Never use sites previously punctured, bruised, swollen or red in color

Never puncture the heel more than twice for any one collection

Wipe away the first drop of blood

Ease thumb pressure and apply intermittent pressure. Avoid milking and scraping

Follow recommended order of draw

When blood collection is complete, clean area, apply pressure.

Never apply band-aid under the age of two

Label specimens immediately after the draw; never before

Heel pricking procedure

First urine.

A first morning urine sample is used for detection of urinary tract infection especially mycobacterium

Procedure of collecting first urine

Provide the patient with a clean, dry container.

Instruct the patient to provide about 20 ml of urine voided immediately after arising in the morning.

The patient should label the container with their name and date of collection

Midstream urine

is used for microscopy and culture to investigate bacterial infection of the urinary tract

Procedure of collecting midstream urine

Provide the patient with a sterile container.

Instruct the patient to pass a small amount of urine into the toilet. This ensures that any organisms or cells in the urethra are flushed away.

Types and Methods of Urine Collection

Instruct the patient to pass the remaining urine in their bladder into the toilet.

The patient or the laboratory technician should label the container with the patient name and date of collection.

Types and Methods of Urine Collection

Although samples do not need to be kept refrigerated or frozen during transport, it is advisable to store them in a cool place and transport them to the laboratory as soon as possible

Specimen for RDTs are stored at 2-8o C for short terms and for -20oC for long terms.

Container – Is a carrier of specimen

Types of containers

Wax carton

Wax cartons are made in the laboratory using cardboard and a stapler

These cartons can be used only once for sputum collection in the laboratory

Universal bottle

These are glass or plastic bottles with screw caps have the capacity of 25 ml

Plastic container with cap

Are made of plastic materials

Are containers with different capacities

Bijou bottle

These are glass or plastic bottles with screw caps

Have the capacity of 5ml

Terminal urine

A terminal urine sample is used to demonstrate ova of Schistosoma haematobium

Procedure of collecting terminal urine

Provide the patient with a clean container and tell the patient to.

Void most of the urine into toilet

Collect last portion of urine to the container

Secure the lid of container immediately

Types and Methods of Urine Collection

Sufficient quantity of specimen

Right container

Condition of the specimen Is ideal

Complete and full filled request form

Labelled specimen

Adequate and short transport time of a specimen

Differentiates tests

Stores specimens

Prevents infections

Identifies type of specimens

Helps to handle and transport the specimens

Easier to write patient information

Waste category

Type of waste

Colour of receptacles and liner

Non-infectious waste

Paper,packaging materials,

Plastic bottles,food remains,boxes,cartons

Black/blue

Infectious waste

Used gloves,dressing materials,specimen containers,infusion packages,catheters,urinal bags

yellow

Highly infectious waste

Anatomical waste,blood,body fluids,pathologivcal waste,culture materials,stocks,petri dishes

Red

Sharps waste

Use syringes and needles,surgical blades,scalpels,broken glass

Safety box

Define routine specimens and non-routine specimen.

List five routine specimens

List three sites (Veins) for collection of venous blood

Define non routine specimens

List five non routine specimens