TITLE:
Assessment of Biosafety Practices in Clinical Laboratories in Khartoum State, Sudan
AUTHORS:
Mohammad Shane Alam, Saif Elden B. Abdalla, Fakhra Jabeen
KEYWORDS:
Biosafety, Quality Management System, Data Analysis, Biohazard
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.10 No.11,
November
16,
2022
ABSTRACT: Background: Several related accidents occur in the laboratories due to insufficient regulation, inappropriate implementation of safety measures or unawareness attitude and practice toward safety precaution. Biosafety is a tool through which we are managing safety and security related to any kinds of hazards that may be either to the human, animals, plants and environment as well. We can implement good laboratory practice to minimize the risk while performing any kind of test procedures, either handling to the samples like blood and other body fluids which is playing important role for infections and transmissible diseases. If we will provide facilities and training to the lab personnel, then we can protect public, agriculture, and the environment from which is leading cause of infections as well as hazards such as biological, chemical, electrical and glassware. For achieving effective and necessary biosafety and security, it should make sure that any unauthorized person is not able to handle, process, transport to minimize loss and misuse of the any kind of hazards especially biohazards. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to make an international system to avoid any kind of biosafety related issues. Objective: Because biosafety is an important element in quality management system (QMS) and it is a fundamental tool for compliance with accreditation and certification standards, the aim of this study was to assess the practices of lab personnel towards biosafety measures in their laboratories. Method: The study was cross-sectional study that conducted among 70 laboratories by use of structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done by using statistical package for social science (SPSS). Result: Among 70 laboratories, 2 (3%) were appointing a biosafety officer, 16 (23%) have fire detection system and fire alarm system, and 20 (29%) of all laboratories were provided by fire extinguisher. Among provision of personnel protection, 56 (80%) always wearied lab coat and gloves, 35 (79%) wearied masks (surgical mask) with low availability of safety goggles and eye shield. Vaccination for hepatitis B virus identified in 40 (57%) of the laboratories. In 41 (59%) of laboratories, the cleaning personnel were not aware about optimal handlers of biohazard in the laboratory. 20 (29%) of all laboratories have exit door and 43 (61%) were used biological safety cabinet. Availability of sharp container and color-coded biohazard bags were found in about 60% (86%), 55 (79%); safe disposal policies were found in 49 (70%) of laboratories. Discussion: Biosafety measures and practices in Sudan need to be restructured if we target to achieve good laboratory practices as well as safe environmental testing for clinical human samples. Recommendation: There are a great need to establish and implement biosafety precaution program included in government and private clinical laboratory in Sudan.