Disinfection and sterilisation practices in laboratories of a research institution in Uganda.
The control of micro organisms in laboratories is essential in order to prevent transmission of infections, reduce decomposition and spoilage of samples, and prevent unwanted microbial contamination. Indeed, concerns about transmitting infectious agents such as human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus have caused people associated with laboratories to become more aware of the need to sterilise and disinfect instruments, materials and other equipment.1 Due to the nature of work done in research laboratories, notably handling various human (and animal) samples such as blood, urine, sputum and stool for investigations, the control of micro organisms should be an integral part of the work done therein.2,3 The purpose of the studywas to assess the disinfection and sterilisation practices in laboratories at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) Entebbe, Uganda. UVRI is a Uganda government institution under the Ministry of Health and is a national referral laboratory centre. A total of 25 participants were randomly obtained from 10 laboratories at UVRI. The participants included 16 laboratory technicians, eight laboratory technologists and one medical research (laboratory) specialist. The 10 laboratories involved were from three different collaborator organisations at UVRI as follows: collaborator 1 (six) collaborator 2 (three) and collaborator 3 (one) Twelve participants were obtained from collaborator 1, eight from collaborator 2, and five from collaborator 3. A self administered pretested questionnaire and an observational checklist were used to collect data on the types of disinfectants, methods of sterilisation and the practices of disinfection and sterilisation by the laboratory personnel. From the findings of the study, each organisation had its own types of disinfectants, concentration used and contact time allowed. All organisations used 70% alcohol for disinfection whereas Virkon was used by only collaborator 1 laboratories (Table I) Laboratory workers using Virkon allowed a contact time of 3 min on average while disinfecting bench tops, although the Applications and instructions for use manual for Virkon recommends a contact time of 10 min before the disinfectant is wiped
The Journal of hospital infection