These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Assessment of physical conditions and current practice in laboratories carrying out sputum smear microscopy in Northwest Ethiopia.
    Author: Mulu A, Kassu A.
    Journal: Trop Doct; 2005 Oct; 35(4):215-7. PubMed ID: 16354472.
    Abstract:
    A cross-sectional study was conducted in Northwestern Ethiopia involving 18 health-care institutes in August 2003 to assess the physical conditions and current laboratory practice, pertaining to handling sputum specimens in the health-care laboratories carrying out sputum smear microscopy. A structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect information. The laboratories had an area of less than 25 m(2). None of them had separate rooms or safety cabinets for sputum smear preparation. Only three laboratories used facemasks. QJ;Decontamination of sputum specimens prior to disposal was reported in only two. Incineration as a means of sputum specimen disposal was used in only six laboratories. The physical conditions of the laboratories were found below the standard set by the International Union Against Tuberculoses and Lung Diseases. A large number of sputum specimens continue to be handled, despite the poor conditions and procedures in all the healthcare laboratories. Laboratory safety standards need to be improved, to minimize the risk of infection. In addition, there is an urgent need for education, training and supervision of the staff involved in sputum microscopy.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]