Perception of health and safety risks among workers pathology laboratories
Main Article Content
Keywords
Occupational exposure, Health risk, Safety management
Abstract
Background: Health care workers are experiencing increasing numbers of occupational illnesses. Safety practices in anatomical pathology laboratories (APL) are crucial to prevent unnecessary exposures to both chemical and biological agents.
Methods: The main goal of this study was to determine if pathologists perceptions and actual practice mirror regulatory guidelines. Current available recommendations for APL were reviewed and used to construct an online survey distribuited to pathologists. The survey was completed by 121 participants.
Results: Eighty-seven (72 %) of respondents reported receiving inadequate safety training. Most Pathologists (82 %) were not well-informed about biosafety practices. Sixty-three (52 %) participants felt that the risks of chemical and infectious disease exposures in the APL were low. Most respondents reported a needle stick or cut (71 %). Eighty-six (71 %) of participants reported musculo skeletal problems.
Conclusions: This study indicated that there is a need for improving training in anatomical pathology safety practices in Mexican Laboratories as daily practices do not reflected current guidelines.
References
Alvarado-Cabrero I. Redefinición de la productividad y de la calidad de los diagnósticos del patólogo en un Hospital de Oncología. GAMO. 2012; 11(3): 145-51. Texto libre en http://132.248.9.34/hevila/Gacetamexicanadeoncologia/2012/vol11/no3/2.pdf
Harrington JM, Shannon HS. Mortality study of pathologists and medical laboratory technicians. Br Med J. 1975; 4(5992): 329-32. Texto libre en http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1675173/
Ford A. Tacking stock of biosafety perils in surg path. CAP today. 2009, September . Texto libre en http://www.cap.org/apps//cap.portal?_nfpb=true&cntvwrPtlt_actionOverride=%2Fportlets%2FcontentViewer%2Fshow&_windowLabel=cntvwrPtlt&cntvwrPtlt%7BactionForm.contentReference%7D=cap_today%2F0909%2F0909b_taking_stock.html&_state=maximized&_pageLabel=cntvwr
Office of Air and Radiation[USA]. Report to Congress on Indoor Air Quality, Volume II: Assessment and Control of Indoor Air Pollution. USA: Environmental Protection Agency;1989.
U.S Departament of Health and Human Services. Report on carcinogens[Internet]. 12 ed. U.S: National Toxicology Program; 2011. Disponible en http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/roc 12
Hauptmann M, Stewart PA, Lubin JH, Beane Freeman LE, Hornung RW, Herrick RF,et al. Mortality from lymphohematopoietic malignancies and brain cancer among embalmers exposed to formaldehyde. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2009; 101(24): 1696-708. Texto libre en http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2794303/
Coggon D, Harris EC, Poole J, Palmer KT. Extended follow-up of a cohort of british chemical workers exposed to formaldehyde. JNatl Cancer Inst 2003; 95(21): 1608-1615. Texto libre http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/95/21/1608.long
Nelson A, Wilson ML. Biothreat agents and pathology laboratories. Semin Diagn Pathol. 2007; 24(4): 209-16.
Guanche H, Menéndez N, Piñera S, Morales C, Fresneda G, Gutiérrez-García F. Riesgo ocupacional por exposición a objetos punzocortantes en Trabajadores de la Salud. MEDICRIT. 2006; 3(2): 56-60. Texto libre en http://www.medicrit.com/Revista/v3n2.06/56030206.pdf
George E. Occupational Hazard for Pathologists: Microscope use and musculoskeletal disorders. Am J Clin Pathol. 2010; 133(4): 543-8. Texto libre en http://ajcp.ascpjournals.org/content/133/4/543.long
Secretaria del Trabajo y Previsión Social [México] Norma Oficial Mexicana, NOM-018-STPS-2000, Sistema para la identificación y comunicación de peligros y riesgos por substancias quimicas peligrosas en los centros de trabajo[Internet].México:Diario Oficial;2000.Disponible en http://www.stps.gob.mx/bp/secciones/dgsst/normatividad/normas/Nom-018.pdf
Secretaría del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales [México]Norma Oficial Mexicana,NOM-087-ECOL-SSA1-2002, Protección ambiental - Salud ambiental - Residuos peligrosos biológico-infecciosos - Clasificación y especificaciones de manejo [Internet]. México: ECOLSA; 2002. Disponible en www.salud.gob.mx/unidades/cdi/nom/087ecolssa.html
Secretaria del Trabajo y Previsión Social [México] Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-017-STPS-2008 Equipo de protección personal-Selección, uso y manejo en los centros de trabajo[Internet]. México:Diario Oficial;2008. Disponible en www.stps.gob.mx/bp/secciones/dgsst/normatividad/normas/Nom-017.pdf
Secretaria del Trabajo y Previsión Social [México] Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-010-STPSS-1999, condiciones de seguridad e higiene en los centros de trabajo donde se manejen, transporten, procesen o almacenen sustancias químicas capaces de generar contaminación en el medio ambiente laboral[Internet].México:Diario Oficial; 1999. Disponible en http://www.stps.gob.mx/bp/secciones/dgsst/normatividad/normas/Nom-010.pdf
The Joint Commission. Accreditation, Health Care, Certification[Internet]. U.S[?]. Disponible en: www.jointcommission.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov/
Adegbaye AA, Moss GB, Soyinka F, Kreiss JK. The epidemiology of needlestick and sharp instrument accidents in Nigerian hospitals. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1994; 15(1) : 27-31.
Miller JM, Astles R, Baszler T, Chapin K, Carey R, Garcia L, et al. Guidelines for safe work practices in human and animal medical diagnostic laboratories. recommendations of a CDC-convened, Biosafety Blue Ribbon Panel. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2012; 61(Supl): 1-102.
Kales SN. La importancia de la salud ocupacional. Revista Ciencias de la Salud. 2004 ; 2(1) :5-7.
Collins CH, Kennedy DA. Microbiological hazards of occupational needstick and sharp injuries. A review. J Appl Bacteriol. 1987; 62(5): 385-402
American Society of Microbiology Web site that provides laboratory guidelines http://www.asmusa.org
Gerston KF, Blumberg L, Tshabalala VA, Murray J. Viability of mycobacteria in formalin-fixed lungs. Hum Pathol. 2004; 35(5): 571-5.
Chamberlain AT, Burnett LC, King JP, Whitney ES, Kaufman SG, Berkelman RL. Biosafety Training and incident-reporting Practices in the United States: a 2008 Survey of Biosafety Professionals. Appl Biosaf. 2009;14(3):135-43. Texto libre en http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2947438/
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Formalin (as formaldehyde). NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. (Internet]. U.S.:Center for Disease Control and Prevention; [?]. citado 4 Abr 2011]. Disponible en: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0294.html
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Career Guide to industries,