The Joint Commission (TJC) has released its annual list of the most challenging standards for laboratories and other healthcare facilities. In 2023, many laboratories were noncompliant when it came to investigating testing errors, performing preventive maintenance and competency assessments,...
Laboratories are a unique workplace of scientific inquiry and diagnosis, but they also pose specific risks to those who work within their confines. One significant concern is the potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens, which can lead to serious infections and health complications if not...
Should physicians with possible mental health issues be required to participate in specialized physician health programs? What programs are out there? What industry developments can medical staffs follow? What isn’t helping physicians and what is?
Darryl saw the low CO2 level alarm on the microbiology incubator and went to change the tank in the nearby storage room. The valve cover seemed stuck on the replacement tank and Darryl was unable to remove it with his hands. He found a hammer and began to hit the valve cover to loosen it. The...
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), healthcare workers are increasingly reporting workplace harassment, burnout, and poor mental health. Recently, NIOSH teamed with Total Worker Health Centers and advocates in the industry to create Impact Wellbeing in...
Climate change has affected almost every aspect of human civilization, and everyone, including laboratories, must adapt to meet the dangers. But how much will climate change force laboratories and lab safety to change?
Ergonomics is a safety topic that gets little respect in the laboratory, but it can become very important over time. The effects of poor ergonomics are cumulative, and they can appear suddenly. When they arise, the pain and treatment are often difficult, and as people age, healing is slower as...
You can never be too reliable, especially when you work in biosafety and handle hazardous chemicals all day. Becoming a high reliability organization (HRO) has been a goal of many hospitals and laboratories in recent years, but even those who achieve that status have to work to maintain it, says...
It is standard operating procedure (SOP) to have multiple SOPs in your laboratory or facility. SOPs cover everything from donning and doffing PPE to hand hygiene, the use of equipment, and the handling of hazardous or biohazardous materials. However, it’s important to remember that just because...