HANDLING OF SPILLAGE IN MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY

• PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING OF SPILLAGE IN MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY:
• Spills in a microbiology lab require prompt and careful attention to minimize the risk of contamination.

• Personnel working in the Microbiology laboratory are to be made aware of handling the dehydrated media, sterile media (Agar & broth), cultures and biological indicators carefully to avoid contamination arising due to spillage.
• Spillages are of two types
• Solid (Dehydrated media, Media plates/slants, Culture slants, Positive control plates).
• Liquid (Sterile and pre-incubated broth tubes/bottles, Positive control broth tubes, Culture suspensions and BI’s Ampoules).
• If the spillage occurs in the microbiology laboratory, it is the responsibility of the microbiologist working in that area to clean up the spillage.
• Immediately microbiologists should inform to In-charge Microbiology section.
• The Microbiologist shall wear gloves and mask while handling the spillage.
• Under the supervision of In-charge Microbiology Section/Designee, Microbiologist shall handle the spillage based on its nature.
• Spillage in Media preparation room: If spillage of dehydrated media, rehydrated media (before autoclave) polysorbate or glycerol happens handle the spillage as follows;
• Clean the spilled dehydrated media with a wet cloth,
• Spray 70% IPA or Sterillium and mop the area.
• Enter the spilled quantity of media in media preparation record.
• Spillage in Incubator room: The following table explains the media and accessories handled by the microbiologist in incubator room, cleaning and disinfection of their spillage;

Note:

• If the analyzed broth tubes are broken then the respective sample shall be enriched immediately for further proceedings to perform pathogen tests.
• If the analyzed plate/further tubes (SCD, SDA and further plates) are broken reanalysis shall be carried out immediately.
• Spillage in testing area:
• If pre-incubated agar plate/broth or analyzed media plates, broth tubes (immediately after analysis), prepared positive control plates, incubated broths of product, and incubated further tubes are broken in testing area, spray 70% IPA/Sterillium; after 15 minutes remove the broken plate and agar and sanitize the area with 70% IPA/Sterillium/Sporicidal agent. If it broken in LAF unit immediately switch of the blower before handling the spillage.
• Whenever there is a spillage of culture suspension, positive cultures of fungal microorganism either in testing area or in LAF unit the respective AHU shall be switched off immediately to avoid spreading of spores.
• In LAF 2, if any spillages of microbial cultures happens the platform shall be removed followed by wiping with 70% IPA and the underneath surface of the LAF shall be wiped with 70% IPA.
• Spillage in Destruction room:
• If spillage happens in destruction room while destructing the plates and broth tubes follow the below instructions to handle the spillage;

• Spray/pour 70% IPA to cover the entire spill area adequately and allow to stand for about 15 minutes and collect the spilled material and media. Wet mop with purified water followed by 70% IPA.
• Spillage in chemical analysis room:

• Spillage in chemical analysis room shall be done as per respective SOP.

• Spillage during Environmental monitoring:
• During environmental monitoring it is the responsibility of the microbiologist to take care of the exposed agar media plates to avoid breakage and spill of the agar media plate. Even though there may a chance for spillage in production area due to men and material interventions.
• If such thing happen the following shall be done immediately;
• The spill area shall be sprayed or poured adequately to cover the entire area with the disinfectant which is being used on the day, allow to stand for 15 minutes and collect the broken plate and agar spillages. Mop with the same disinfectant and again mop with purified water.
• The particular location shall be monitored again in the same day.

NOTE:

• All the spill material shall be collected in a Bio-Hazard disposable bag and the spill material shall be decontaminated. After decontamination, send to safety, Health and Environment department for necessary safe disposal. Broken glassware shall be collected in a separate container and send for disposal.

• Raise incident as per SOP.

• ANNEXURES: 

• ABBREVIATIONS:

Annexure-I
Spillage Record