Dr Piyush Tailor

Edit the page and hit Save. See syntax for Wiki syntax. Please edit the page only if you can improve it. If you want to test some things, learn to make your first steps on the playground.

=====22.SOP for handling of all histopathology specimens of COVID 19 suspected/positive cases=====

*Sample Transportation:
    *Operative specimen as well as biopsies should to be sent in sealed double leak proof specimen bags/containers.
    *The specimen should completely immerse in 10% buffered formalin (For small biopsies formalin should be ten times the volume of the tissue & Big specimens should be at least double the volume of the tissue)
    *All specimens as well as histopathology requisition forms should be labelled properly with patient details and clearly mentioned Suspected/ Positive status of Covid -19 
    *Please ensure that the requisition forms are not handled with contaminated gloves, or contaminated with blood, bodily fluids or any infective material. (Preferably pathology forms should be filled by the person who has not come in contact with the patient)
    *Please ensure that the personnel who transport these specimens should be aware / trained in safe handling practices and should be wearing masks and gloves.

*Sample receiving :
    *All pathology COVID-19 suspicious/confirmed specimens should be received  in sealed double leak proof specimen containers  must be labelled clearly as Suspected/ Confirmed Covid-19.
    *Specimens should be transferred into formalin-filled, properly sealed designated pathology containers with adequate amount of formalin to be added to cover the tissue in the container. The patient details should be labellled on the pathology container.
    *External surfaces of the specimen container must be disinfected using 0.1% Sodium Hypochlorite solution prior to touch and open them following proper precautions.
    *Laboratory technician who receive these specimens must be trained in safe handling practices and should be wearing masks and gloves.

*Fixation and grossing:
    *All small specimens/biopsies should be processed after 24 hours and all large operative specimens after 24-48 hours of formalin fixation according to CDC/WHO guidelines.
    *Pathologist must ensure proper fixation of the specimens prior handling them.
    *While grossing, cover the specimen with cotton to reduce aerosol spread.
    *Then gross examination should be carried out. Sections should be taken as per standard guidelines and sections are sent for tissue processing.
    *Due to requirement of additional time of formalin fixation, there might be some delay in reporting of all specimens.

*PPE instruction for personnel:
    *Laboratory person must wear personal protective equipment when conducting work in the grossing room. PPE must include disposable gloves and a laboratory coat or gown as a minimum, and may also include eye protection and other equipment, as identified by risk assessment.  PPE must be removed on leaving the grossing room and hygiene practices including hand washing must be rigorously maintained.

*Work area and equipment disinfection:
    *Irrespective of the containment level, work surfaces and equipment must be decontaminated after specimens have been processed.
    *Pay attention to all surfaces that may have come into contact with specimens or specimen containers.
    *Use a disinfectant solution with proven activity against enveloped RNA viruses including sodium hypochlorite (bleach) (0.1%) for general surface disinfection and 1% for blood spills disinfection.
    *Contact time- 30 minutes.

*Biomedical Waste Management:
    *Infectious material to be disposed in a separate yellow bag labelled as “COVID”.

*References:
  -CDC interim laboratory biosafety guidelines for handling and processing specimens associated with corona virus. 
  -WHO- Laboratory biosafety guidance related to the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
  -Guidance COVID-19: safe handling and processing for samples in laboratories. Public health England

Please fill all the letters into the box to prove you're human. J D X Z K Please keep this field empty:

Edit summary

Dr Piyush Tailor

User Tools

Site Tools

Page Tools