Biomaterial Database

Clinical laboratory environmental contamination: use of a fluorescence/bacterial tracer. 1988

D A Kennedy, and J F Stevens, and A N Horn

Supplies Technology Division, Department of Health and Social Security, Russell Square, London.

A "Centrifichem" centrifugal analyser was found using a double fluorescence/bacterial tracer method to be a source of airborne and surface contamination in the laboratory. The airborne contamination was controlled by a modification incorporating a filter. Ubiquitous surface contamination generally accompanied the processing of simulated patients' sera. Double tracer samples could be used in laboratories to assess the quality of hygiene practices in the same way as quality control samples are currently used to assess the quality of analytical performance. The findings indicated a lack of understanding of basic hygiene practices in the laboratory.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007755	Laboratories, Hospital	Hospital facilities equipped to carry out investigative procedures.	Hospital Laboratories,Hospital Laboratory,Laboratory, Hospital
D002498	Centrifugation	Process of using a rotating machine to generate centrifugal force to separate substances of different densities, remove moisture, or simulate gravitational effects. It employs a large motor-driven apparatus with a long arm, at the end of which human and animal subjects, biological specimens, or equipment can be revolved and rotated at various speeds to study gravitational effects. (From Websters, 10th ed; McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)
D005374	Filtration	A process of separating particulate matter from a fluid, such as air or a liquid, by passing the fluid carrier through a medium that will not pass the particulates. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)	Filtrations
D005453	Fluorescence	The property of emitting radiation while being irradiated. The radiation emitted is usually of longer wavelength than that incident or absorbed, e.g., a substance can be irradiated with invisible radiation and emit visible light. X-ray fluorescence is used in diagnosis.
D006920	Hygiene	The science dealing with the establishment and maintenance of health in the individual and the group. It includes the conditions and practices conducive to health. (Webster, 3d ed)
D000393	Air Pollutants	Any substance in the air which could, if present in high enough concentration, harm humans, animals, vegetation or materials. Substances include GASES; PARTICULATE MATTER; and volatile ORGANIC CHEMICALS.	Air Pollutant,Air Pollutants, Environmental,Environmental Air Pollutants,Environmental Pollutants, Air,Air Environmental Pollutants,Pollutant, Air,Pollutants, Air,Pollutants, Air Environmental,Pollutants, Environmental Air
D000397	Air Pollution	The presence of contaminants or pollutant substances in the air (AIR POLLUTANTS) that interfere with human health or welfare, or produce other harmful environmental effects. The substances may include GASES; PARTICULATE MATTER; or volatile ORGANIC CHEMICALS.	Air Quality,Air Pollutions,Pollution, Air
D001412	Bacillus subtilis	A species of gram-positive bacteria that is a common soil and water saprophyte.	Natto Bacteria,Bacillus subtilis (natto),Bacillus subtilis subsp. natto,Bacillus subtilis var. natto