Use of a PPE in a DMC

The use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in a TB laboratory is determined by risk assessment (according to the procedure and suspected pathogen).

Designated Microscopy Centres (DMCs) are low-risk TB laboratories, hence PPE should be used as follows:

• Laboratory coats should be worn at all times by the Laboratory Technician (LT) while working in the laboratory.
• Gloves and long-sleeved laboratory coats should be used during sample collection, opening sample transport boxes, handling leaky specimen containers, smear preparation and staining smears.
• Masks are not required for use during the preparation of sputum smears in well-ventilated areas.
• LTs and support staff handling biological waste should wear gloves.
• Patients that visit DMC to provide sputum samples should be advised to wear masks.

It is advised that the laboratory should maintain adequate ventilation by keeping the windows open all the time or installing exhaust for the personal protection of the laboratory staff.  

Resources

• Guidelines on Airborne Infection Control in Healthcare and Other Settings, MoHFW, 2010.
• Infection Prevention and Control of Epidemic- and Pandemic-Prone Acute Respiratory Infections in Health Care, WHO, 2014.
• Training Modules (1-4) for Programme Managers and Medical Officers, NTEP, 2020.

Assessment