Disinfectant Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Disinfectant and links to relevant pages within the course.
Learn more about laboratory continuing education for medical technologists to earn CE credit for AMT, ASCP, NCA, and state license renewal and recertification. Or get information about laboratory safety and compliance courses that deliver cost-effective OSHA safety training and continuing education to your laboratory's employees.
| False Positive Protein Results A urine specimen that has remained at room temperature for an extended period of time may produce a false-positive protein result on a reagent strip. A false positive may also occur in the presence of bacterial contamination, alkaline medication, or quaternary ammonium compounds such as disinfectants or drugs, and with skin cleansers containing chlorhexidine. | View Page |
| What percentage solution of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) is recommended as a routine laboratory disinfectant: | View Page |
| Small Surface Spills Small blood spills on work surfaces may be cleaned by first laying paper towels on the spill to blot and avoid splattering, and then applying disinfectant. Larger spills will require other methods.Use an approved cleaning method and appropriate personal protective equipment. Be aware of the potential for splatter and contamination. | View Page |
| Housekeeping Work surfaces should be cleaned with an appropriate disinfectant after gross contamination, after completion of a series of tasks, and if needed at the end of a shift.Ten percent household bleach prepared fresh every 24 hours is considered to be an appropriate disinfectant. | View Page |
| What Does Formaldehyde Do? Formaldehyde penetrates, and preserves tissue by cross-linking proteins. Formaldehyde is a disinfectant which kills most bacteria, fungi, and other micro-organisms. | View Page |
| Phlebotomy trays A Phlebotomy tray is used to carry blood drawing equipment to the bedside.Trays should be sanitized daily, & kept well-stocked and organized.
Phlebotomy trays may be sanitized using 10% bleach solution, or other appropriate disinfectant.
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| Protect Yourself The safety of both the phlebotomist and patient is of utmost concern at all times. In the unfortunate event of an accidental needlestick or if you get blood or other potentially infectious materials in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on broken skin, immediately flood the exposed area with water and clean any wound with soap and water or a skin disinfectant if available. Report this immediately to your employer and seek immediate medical attention. It is imperative that the phlebotomist follow facility protocol for reporting the incident. This ensures prompt treatment for the injury. The facility procedure must be followed whether the accidental puncture was from a clean or contaminated needle.The single most important element to prevent an accidental needlestick is for the phlebotomist to fully concentrate during every procedure. Keeping your mind on the task at hand contributes to a successful and safe result. | View Page |
| Venipuncture Procedure At a Glance Required Step Description Step #1 Wash your hands. Clean your hands with soap and water or gel cleanser. Step #2 Positively identify patient using unique identifiers. Ask the patient to state his/her first and last name; if the patient is unable to give you this information, ask the patient's caregiver to confirm the patient's name. A second unique identifier must also be used. Step #3 Special test requirements Determine if the test to be obtained has any special requirements. For example, should the patient be fasting? Is this a timed test? If any requirements are not met, consult with the caregiver to determine a course of action. Step #4 Prepare the patient Explain the procedure to the patient and obtain cooperation. Usually the patient will extend an arm. (This is a form of implied consent.) Position the arm for venipuncture; support the arm on a firm surface; the arm should be in a downward position. Step #5 Site determination The patient can make a fist, but should not pump the hand open and closed. Apply tourniquet Palpate the vein. Release the tourniquet and assemble appropriate equipment. Step #6 Aseptic technique Wear gloves that have not been altered in any way. Cleanse site with approved disinfectant. Allow the disinfectant to air-dry to avoid hemolysis of the specimen and discomfort to the patient. Step #7 Specimen collection Re-apply tourniquet about 3-4 inches above puncture site, insert needle, bevel-side up, at about a 30° angle, and collect specimens. Remove needle and immediately activate the safety device. Mix specimens by gentle inversion 5-10 times. Step #8 Patient care Apply direct pressure to stop bleeding at puncture site; do not have patient bend arm as this may cause a hematoma to form. After about 2 minutes, check the puncture site to verify that bleeding has stopped. Apply bandage if appropriate. Thank the patient for his/her cooperation. Step #9 Specimen labeling Label specimen(s) in the presence of the patient including all the information that is required by your facility. Check the labeled tubes a second time against the patient's wristband to verify labeling accuracy. A professional phlebotomist follows the procedure in the same way for every venipuncture. This ensures that none of the vital steps are omitted. The phlebotomist who is consistent in performance and who concentrates fully to obtain a quality specimen is an indispensable part of the healthcare team. | View Page |