| Clinical Laboratories where bodily fluids are tested can | | | | laboratory safety officer. A safety committee and |
| be hazardous to the technicians who carry out the | | | | incident review committee are formed which analyze |
| procedures. | | | | accidents and maintain procedures. They have |
| Many people have entered laboratories to give urine, | | | | mandatory ongoing safety training for laboratory |
| blood, stool or other bodily fluid specimens. Not so | | | | staff. They also post signs in prominent places so all |
| many people have actually been in the room where | | | | are aware of the potential dangers. |
| they do autopsies on those who died from many | | | | OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
| different causes - the morgue. | | | | of the United States is the governmental body that |
| Most laboratories have a room designated as the | | | | regulates laboratory safety. Other areas of the |
| morgue. If family members want to know why their | | | | government that cooperate with OSHA including EPA, |
| loved one died, an autopsy can be person. This is | | | | RRCA, NRC, DOT, US Postal Service, CDC, NIOSH, |
| usually done by a Pathologist. If there is a | | | | NIH and DHS. Amazing how many are involved, and I |
| questionable death, or suspicion of foul play, a | | | | am sure there are even more. |
| medical examiner may be called in to do the autopsy. | | | | A laboratory can at any time be exposed to |
| Morgues can be like a dirty toilet bowel. Filthy | | | | carcinogens, teratogens, mutagens, sensitizers, |
| conditions can result from the transient traffic of | | | | irritants, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins and neurotoxins |
| decomposing bodies, together with potentially | | | | (lots of poisons). |
| dangerous chemicals, lack of adequate ventilation and | | | | As an example of what can happen in a laboratory, a |
| crowded quarters. I imagine in days gone by, | | | | 22-year-old science student working in the clinical |
| morgues lived up to their horror story scenarios. | | | | laboratory acquired Salmonella typhi which caused an |
| They looked like something between a medieval | | | | intestinal abscess. Not only did he need antibiotic |
| torture chamber and a meat locker. | | | | therapy, but he required two surgeries for drainage |
| Back when I was a diener it was not that bad, but it | | | | and the creation of an ileostomy. |
| was quite crowded and only one body could fit in | | | | At another facility, students were hired to clean out |
| there at a time, except for perhaps a small baby or | | | | a closed lab. The students were given minimal |
| two kept in the refrigerator (sorry, I do not mean to | | | | instructions. They were to move equipment and |
| offend - that is how it was). I think there were not | | | | dispose of chemical and biological wastes. One of the |
| too many safeguards in place in the 70s, but now | | | | students left chemicals out on the bench top at |
| there are many regulations for those who work in a | | | | room temperature (a no no) while they went to |
| laboratory or morgue. | | | | lunch. Shortly after, the chemicals exploded and a |
| You may have watched Dr. G. Medical Examiner on | | | | terrible odor forced the evacuation of the entire |
| television (one of my favorites), and seen her | | | | building. The students had not been using any |
| performing autopsies. I have noticed that she does | | | | protective gear. |
| not wear much protective clothing or cover on her | | | | Before 1976, sodium azide was used as a |
| face or hair. Maybe it is all staged, which would | | | | preservative in the laboratories. It was disposed of |
| explain it. They mostly like do not want to cover her | | | | down ordinary plumbing. Lead and copper pipes cause |
| pretty face and hair. | | | | the formation of metal azides which are actually |
| Morgue Basic Requirements | | | | more explosive than nitroglycerin. Serious explosions |
| * Hot/cold running water | | | | resulted and injured several people until it was banned |
| * Restrooms | | | | from the laboratory. |
| * Electricity | | | | So, if you are thinking about pursuing a career as a |
| * HVAC | | | | medical technologist, pathologist, hematologist and a |
| * Drainage | | | | host of other jobs, you will be glad to know that |
| * Parking | | | | laboratories are much safer now that just a few |
| * Communications | | | | years ago. |
| * Secure | | | | One example of the guidelines for autopsy personnel |
| * 5000-8000 square ft | | | | is the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). |
| In recent years, walk-in refrigerators with double | | | | Those who transfer the remains from a mortuary |
| storage space for bodies are being put in the | | | | stretcher to the autopsy table should wear gowns |
| morgues, so twice as many autopsies can be | | | | and gloves. Personnel who perform or assist with the |
| completed at one time. With the potential for | | | | autopsy should wear a surgical scrub suit, surgical |
| disasters, and other situations where increased body | | | | cap, full sleeve impervious gown, eye and face |
| storage is needed, morgues will be more able to | | | | protection (face shield), shoe covers and surgical |
| handle them. | | | | gloves (double) with an interposed layer of synthetic |
| One of the most marked changes lately in some | | | | mesh cut-proof gloves. |
| morgues is an observation room, that allows police or | | | | For those who use oscillating saws (to open the |
| students to view an autopsy. Prior to that, the | | | | skull), it is recommended that they wear an |
| person performing the autopsy was often disrupted | | | | air-purifying respirator. |
| by observers asking questions, or by students | | | | All protective clothes must be removed when leaving |
| fainting from the odors. | | | | the autopsy area. Hands should be washed well after |
| Improved air systems have been designed to control | | | | removing gloves. In addition, all surfaces where an |
| the spread of infectious diseases and odors in | | | | autopsy was performed must be disinfected with |
| morgues and clinical laboratories. | | | | high level disinfectant. All equipment should also be |
| Most laboratories appoint an employee to be the | | | | cleaned and disinfected. |