A comparative analysis to determine the knowledge and practice of laboratory safety measures among technical staff of the laboratories in Medical College and Hospital

Background: While working in a clinical laboratory, sometimes it happens that the health and safety can be overlooked, inadvertently pushed aside or forgotten–with dire consequences. However, with proper training and practice in noticing the mundane i.e. safety measures, we can find and correct many common mistakes and prevent hazards and injury. Aim: A study was carried out to study the knowledge and practice of safety measures being adopted in clinical laboratories. Material and methods: The study consists of 97 respondents. Questionnaire was given in the form of pre-test and post-test to survey knowledge and practice of technical staff in the laboratory. In between training was conducted for improving the knowledge of the staff. Results: Regarding laboratory symbols and laboratory safety knowledge - majority of the participants knew most of the symbols, health safety measures and their knowledge improved after training. Conclusion: Laboratory safety in India has to be a part of overall safety programme in hospitals and all this can be achieved by having a good training programmes in hospitals in general and laboratories in particular.