Last week we asked about your perfect dream laboratory—but there is a reason we called it a dream. Most healthcare organizations can’t afford to build new laboratories from the ground up and instead have to work within their existing spaces the best they can. Space itself can be a major...
Imagine if you could have your perfect laboratory. Leadership gave you the green light and the funds for you to design, build, and equip a new lab however you like. What annoyances would you remove? Would you prioritize staff comfort, security, or biosafety? What color would the walls be? Few...
A crisis can happen at any time, anywhere, and to any organization or community. Some are fairly predictable, such as the cyclical patterns of weather; others come unannounced, such as the events of 9/11. The very nature of the event or crisis is characterized by a high degree of instability,...
The laboratory is a source for several potential waste streams and in the eyes of regulatory agencies, managing those streams is the responsibility of the department. Consider regular (non-hazardous) waste, regulated medical waste (RMW), hazardous chemical waste, and radioactive waste; all need...
When you train your lab staff, are you raising their awareness on a topic, or are you teaching them how to respond to it? While both have their own merits, when a chemical is spilled or someone is stuck with a used needle, awareness alone isn’t enough, says Sean G. Kaufman, CEO...
It’s a new year, but the lab safety work continues, says Dan Scungio MT(ASCP), SLS, a laboratory safety officer for multihospital system Sentara Healthcare in Virginia. It’s the time of year when staff should look back at their successes and challenges from the past year, while...
The establishment of a drug diversion oversight committee is critical for healthcare facilities. As the healthcare industry grapples with the imperative to mitigate the unauthorized use or misappropriation of medications, this committee's role becomes ever more pivotal.
How a laboratory approaches mistakes, successes, and compliance with rules are all equally important, says Sean G. Kaufman, CEO and founding partner of the lab safety company Safer Behaviors—and it all comes back to accountability. As you try to promote safety and quality in...
I recently completed a seven-month stint as an interim laboratory manager. One of my leaders asked me if the time in that role had altered my perspective about lab safety.
Be clear with your laboratory staff about what you expect of them when they encounter real or potential problems, says Sean G. Kaufman, CEO and founding partner of the lab safety company Safer Behaviors. Otherwise, you risk physical (and potentially financial) harm that could...
