Biosafety is the combination of appropriate work practices, safety equipment, and facility/laboratory design to:
- Contain potentially infectious microorganisms and hazardous biological materials (e.g., infectious aerosols)
- Reduce the exposure risk to workers, the environment, and the public
- Prevent laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs)
When handling specimens from a patient under investigation for COVID-19, the essential core laboratory processes to support biosafety practices include the following examples:
- Training
- Function-specific, general BSL-2 and biosafety laboratory practices
- Proper collection, handling, transporting, and disposal of specimens
- Donning and doffing of PPE
- Packaging and shipping of Category B, Biological Substances (UN3373)
- Strategies for waste management
- Equipment use
- Centrifuge with sealed rotor or sealable safety cups
- Currently certified BSC
- Use of equipment or instrument outside of a BSC, such as a point of care (POC) testing device
- Maintain inventory of supplies
- PPE
- Appropriate cleaning supplies and disinfection materials
- Adequate supply of specimen collection devices
- Adequate transport materials (onsite and off-site / send-outs)
- Due to COVID-19 pandemic inventory considerations, monitor and plan for the limited availability of some critical supplies that may be in short supply and identify alternatives early.
- Communication
- Established lines with the medical care team
- Collaborations in place with the state/local public health laboratory
- Risk Assessment
- All procedures in the laboratory are performed based on a determined risk assessment
- Personnel handling any specimen in the laboratory follow standard precautions
