Gross Anatomy Laboratory Safety and Policy Session Kerrie
Gross Anatomy Laboratory Safety and Policy Session Kerrie Lashley, MS Gross Anatomy Laboratory Manager
Learning Objectives 1. Describe expectations concerning professional conduct in the Gross Anatomy Laboratory 2. Recognize common safety hazards in the Gross Anatomy Laboratory 3. Describe laboratory safety precautions and procedures for working in the Gross Anatomy Laboratory
Overview • • General Information Comportment Safety Cadaver Care and Maintenance Cleanliness Instrument Safety Injuries and Medical Emergencies
General Information
Gross Anatomy Laboratory (GAL) Staff Kerrie Lashley, Gross Laboratory Manager Nicole Bennett, Anatomical Curator Keviette Potts, Anatomical Curator
Entrance to the GAL • Key code access • Enter the side for PT students
Storage • Storage bins Ø By the entrance of the lab Ø Scrubs, shoes, goggles and some personal items
Instructions • Signs Ø Code of Conduct § Posted in main lab area Ø Clean Sink § No gloves Ø Dirty Sinks § Cleaning tools § Gloves should be worn Ø Safety Procedures § Posted on the entry doors and walls of the GAL § Spills or Biological Hazard
Prohibited Areas in GAL ONLY authorized laboratory staff are allowed in the coolers in GAL
Prohibited Areas in GAL ONLY staff and faculty are allowed in the office
Schedule • Gross Laboratory is opened 24 hrs w/ one EXCEPTION Ø MONDAYS the gross lab has weekly maintenance from 5: 00 -8: 00 am • Gross Anatomy Session Lead will announce if there any changes to the gross lab schedule
Comportment
Rules The rules of the anatomy laboratory are based upon PATIENT PRIVACY, RESPECT, SECURITY, SAFETY, and MAINTENANCE. These rules will be observed in the laboratory AT ALL TIMES.
It’s an Honor • You should remember how privileged you are to be able to dissect the human body • Most of the cadavers were willed to the Medical School for the benefit of teaching and learning the structure and function of the human body • These individuals have given themselves so that you may learn
RESPECT • Treat the cadaver with dignity at ALL times • Please RESPECT the INDIVIDUAL that you are dissecting • Never make unnecessary cuts • The genital area must remain appropriately draped at all times, unless working in this area • Never remove the ID tag from the cadaver or the body bag
RESPECT con’t • Inappropriate or improper behavior and/or comments within and outside the laboratory is/are unacceptable. • The articulated skeletons, skulls and isolated bones are to be afforded the same respect as the cadavers
Privacy of the Deceased NO visitors are allowed in the lab • Do not share the key code with unauthorized personnel NO photography, videos or recordings at anytime are allowed • If found in violation of this rule, your program will not be allowed to use the Gross Anatomy Laboratory in the future. Under NO circumstances may human material or any lab materials be removed from the lab
Safety
General Personal Safety • Eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics are strictly PROHIBITED in the lab • Food and drink should NEVER be stored on the shelves, bench tops or in your storage bins • Long hair, ties, scarves and jewelry should be secured • Keep pens and pencils OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!!
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) PPE should be worn where indicated PPE includes: Ø Scrubs Ø Shoes (Close-toe shoes ONLY) Ø Goggles Ø Aprons Ø Gloves (MUST be worn throughout the dissection period) Ø Masks( With or Without Shields) Scrubs and disposable aprons Ø Should be worn in the lab to protect you and your clothing from contamination Ø Scrubs and aprons should not be worn outside the laboratory Gloves Ø DO NOT wear gloves outside of the laboratory Ø MUST be worn when in contact with the cadaver Ø MUST be worn when using any tools and materials that come in contact with preserved specimens Ø When using study materials such as i. Pads, skeletal models, bones, medical images (Xrays, MRIs) PLEASE USE CLEAN GLOVES!!
WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER AT THE CLEAN SINK AREA
Chemicals Used in Lab • • Formalin (37% formaldehyde) Phenol Glycerol Ethanol Methanol Water Thymol These chemicals are used to “fix” or “preserve” the cadaver through the process of embalming. These chemicals are also in the WETTING SOLUTION.
Routes of formaldehyde exposure • Inhalation • Oral • Skin Contact • Eye Contact
Formaldehyde Safety Risks associated with formaldehyde exposure: • Carcinogen • Cause irritation to the eyes nose and throat • Wheezing • Headaches • Nausea • Coughing • Skin irritation • Contact dermatitis (not contagious) Use cool compression, OTC ointments, lotions and moisturizer Following the universal precautions will protect you from the irritating effects of the embalming fluids i. e. PPE
Formaldehyde Exposure • Pregnant and lactating women should consult their physician regarding the inhalation of chemical agents used in the lab prior to taking gross anatomy lab. • If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, lactating or become pregnant during the Gross Anatomy course, you MUST notify the Gross Anatomy Laboratory Director/ Course Instructor IMMEDIATELY • You will not be allowed to enter/participate in the Gross Anatomy Laboratory until you have taken the FIT TEST Ø Conducted by Health and Emergency Management Services (HEMS) FIT TEST • fitting for an OSHA approved respirator This also applies to those who may have upper respiratory problems and those who have developed an adverse reaction to the embalming fluid
Other Solutions used in the Lab 3 spray bottles • BLUE (labeled Downy) Ø Mask/reduce the pungent cadaver odor • RED (labeled WETTING SOLUTION) Ø Contains Formaldehyde Ø Keeps the cadaver moist Ø Keeps mold from growing Ø Spray away from your face Ø Spray as close to the cadaver as possible Ø Wear goggles and a mask w/shield. • GREEN (labeled DISINFECTANT) Ø Clean general working area after each use Ø Clean anything that came into contact with preserved specimens
Cadaver Care & Maintenance
• ALL cadaver waste materials ( tissue, bones, skin) must be disposed of in the caddie assigned to your dissection tank. • The caddie has a RED biohazard bag inside and all materials from your cadaver must be placed inside biohazard bag within the caddie. Ø DO NOT put anatomical material in the caddie w/o a biohazard bag. Your group will be responsible for the cleaning of the caddie if this occurs. • DO NOT discard your gloves, tissue paper, yarn/string or any other type of material inside the caddie. This is ONLY for materials from your cadaver. • If you are unsure about what goes inside the caddie, please ASK the gross laboratory staff or faculty.
• Cloth is provided to keep the cadaver and dissected organs moist Ø When leaving the cadaver for a period of time, please cover the cadaver • Any areas NOT being dissected should remain covered with cloth that has been moisten with WETTING SOLUTION • When there is an excess of fluid in the body bag, you MUST use the Wetvac to suction the excess fluid • The cadaver tanks MUST be closed at the end of each laboratory
Transporting Organs/Prosections • Organs/Prosections MUST be placed on a tray • ALL organs/prosections MUST have an index card with the tag# in the tray at ALL times ØProhibits organs from being lost or mixed • DO NOT mix/swap organs with other tanks
Cleanliness
Trash Ø Any materials (papers, gloves, disposable gowns, paper towels) that have come in contact with preserved specimens and/or fluids MUST be disposed of in the trash bins with the RED biohazard bags. Ø Any other materials may be disposed of in the regular trash
Trays & Surfaces • Wash the trays with soap and water, dry them with paper towels and return them to designated area • Any surface that came in contact with preserved specimen/fluids MUST be wiped with DISINFECTANT.
Work & Lab Spaces • Keep ALL lab work areas neat and safe • DO NOT leave items in the sinks, on the tabletops, or at the sides of the room • DO NOT use the CLEAN sink area to wash any tools or items • DO NOT turn on the garbage disposals • DO NOT dispose of anatomical material down the SINKS YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING YOUR AREA CLEAN
Instrument Safety
• Keep ALL dissection instruments on the dissecting tray • DO NOT leave instruments inside the body bag • DO NOT leave instruments on the side of the tanks, sinks or chairs • DO NOT leave instruments inside of the cadavers Ø At the end of each lab make sure you have all your instruments accounted for before you close the body up
Scalpels • Be careful using scalpel blades or any sharp instruments • Wait for proper directions on how to put on the scalpel blade from faculty
Scalpel Safety • When the scalpel is not in use, the scalpel MUST be placed with the blade DOWN INSIDE the Styrofoam block Make sure that the scalpel blade is not protruding out of the opposite end of the Styrofoam block
Transporting Scalpel When transporting the scalpel, make sure the blade is down inside the Styrofoam block
How to Dispose of Scalpel Blades • Dispose scalpel blades ONLY in the RED sharps/biohazard containers • NEVER dispose of “sharps” in wastebaskets or garbage cans Read the instructions on the container, they illustrate the correct way to remove the scalpel blade
Saws • Take extreme precaution when using the saw • Make sure your gloves are not soiled to prevent slipping • Goggles and masks MUST be worn when using the saw • You MUST wait on proper direction on how to operate the saw from the faculty • It gets loud so please follow directions carefully
• The faculty will provide you with instructions on how to use the different instruments in the gross lab • Make sure you pay attention to where you place your hands and fingers and those of your classmates
Other Instruments Students MUST wear safety goggles when using hammers, chisels and bone pliers
Injuries and Medical Emergencies
Eye Washing Stations • If you splash preservative fluid, disinfectant or specimen fragments into your eyes, IMMEDIATELY notify faculty/staff for assistance • Rinse thoroughly with the eye wash solution located on the walls of the gross lab • Faculty/staff will coordinate first aid efforts and will document and notify Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and/or call for emergency medical assistance if needed
Cuts • If you should cut, puncture, or wound yourself with any instruments, notify faculty or staff for assistance in thoroughly washing the wound. • First aid efforts will be coordinated and OHS will be notify and or a call for emergency medical assistance if needed
All incurred injuries in the gross anatomy laboratory, no matter how insignificant they may appear, MUST be reported immediately to an instructor and/or GAL staff.
After Hours If there is a medical emergency after normal working hours please contact GWPD.
After Hour Minor Injuries • Report to Occupational Health and Safety • Emergency On-Call List is posted on the entrance door of the gross lab ØUpdated monthly • MUST report injuries to lab director, staff member or faculty
Evacuation If it should become necessary to evacuate the lab, follow the faculty and staff to a safe location.
Enjoy Learning Thank you!
Important Contacts Environmental Occupational Health & Safety George Washington University Health and Emergency Management Services (HEMS) Philips Hall Suite B-148 801 22 nd St. NW Washington, DC 20052 Tel: 2022532315 Office of Laboratory Safety George Washington University Ross Hall, Suite B-05 Washington, DC 20037 Tel: 202 -994 -8258 labsafety@gwu. edu Kerrie Lashley Gross Anatomy Laboratory Manager School of Medicine & Health Sciences Ross Hall, Suite 710 J 2300 Eye Street, NW Washington, DC 20037 Tel: 202 -994 -2200 klashley 81@gwu. edu
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