Question

While processing patient specimens, a technologist splashed a few small drops of a bronchial wash specimen on his/her gloves. The first action should be to:

A) Remove the gloves and wash hands thoroughly.

B) Continue working, as the gloves provide adequate protection.

C) Apply an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to the gloves.

D) Ask a colleague for assistance.

Answer 1

The technologist should immediately remove the gloves and perform thorough handwashing. Proper hand hygiene and disposal of contaminated gloves are essential to prevent the spread of potential pathogens.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a technologist splashes a few small drops of a bronchial wash specimen on his/her gloves, the first action should be to remove the gloves and wash hands thoroughly. This is inline with the best practices for handling potentially infectious material, which include immediate handwashing following contact with such materials and proper disposal of the contaminated gloves. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer on the gloves or continuing to work would not be appropriate, as the primary aim is to prevent the spread of any potential pathogens from the specimen. Asking a colleague for assistance would only be necessary if the spill was significant or if the technologist needed help in decontaminating the affected area or equipment.

According to safety protocols, after removing contaminated gloves, it's vital to ensure that proper hand hygiene is followed, and these steps often include:

1. Applying soap and rubbing hands all over for at least 20 seconds, covering areas such as the wrist, between fingers, and under the nails.
2. Rinsing hands thoroughly, ensuring that the water flows from the wrist to the fingertips.
3. Drying hands thoroughly with a clean towel or hot air blower.

Properly disposing of the contaminated gloves in a biohazard waste container is a critical step in preventing the spread of infection and maintaining a safe laboratory environment.