We have performed a COVID risk assessment and continue to review it (see induction pack).
We added signage and require all users to read and acknowledge new procedures.
Please try to keep to one user per workstation, and per appointment. UPDATE Aug 2022:
You CAN have ONE experienced user attend to assist you (provided the limit is not exceeded), for as long as that person is required, but no longer. Both must be trained, registered users.
You CAN have a member of staff assist you (subject to availability).
You CANNOT have someone regularly attend with you, or bring visitors.
We will only allow the extra user if capacity permits. Sometimes for example when training is being given, this flexibility will not be offered. Please note there is only one seat per workstation.
Face-to-face training or advice is limited, keeping numbers down. Microsoft Teams remote support is available, we have speakerphones and a webcam in the lab.
Samples from COVID positive donors must be inactivated, using our protocol.
To reduce surface transmission between users, samples must be in a sealed secondary container which is wiped with disinfectant before and after transit. Tubes inside must be disinfected. Polystyrene boxes, unsealed ice buckets or tube racks covered with foil are not permitted.
Users must allow time in their booking to complete work and leave promptly. But gaps added in the schedule between users have now been removed.
A 2m distance is recommended and users must adhere to masks instructions if/when the hospital has these in place.
For hygiene we are not supplying lab coats/ safety goggles.
Users are requested to wash hands on entering and leaving the labs.
We have new rules for wearing gloves and sanitising workstations (PC and analyser) using 70% isopropanol or Clinell Universal wipe.
Samples for sorting are by drop-off only, users inform us of their gating strategy and panel in advance, we offer live remote feedback via Teams and/ or phone during the sort.
No untested/ unfixed human gut (including dental, tonsil) or lung tissue is being sorted at this time. The tissues we can sort are under review and we request COVID status for human samples.
We require all samples to be covered when vortexing, to minimise aerosol spread. Any remaining sample must return to user labs for disposal.
We know you may still have concerns, so let us know if there is anything you would like us to address. Please respect patients, staff and your fellow users at all times, remembering that others may have different concerns to yourself. We do not want anyone to feel uncomfortable here! Many thanks for your help and understanding. I will circulate pictures of the labs with the modifications we have been able to make and am happy to discuss with anyone who has anxiety about working in our labs.