Muhammad Asghar, Naheed Asghar, Noor Rehman, Muhammad Naeem, Shah Khalid, Abdus Samad, Hoor Shumail, Waleed Mabood.
Clinical and research laboratories in Peshawar city of KP Province: Analysis of bio-security measures predicts insecurity.
Pak J Surg Jan ;35(4):306-10.

Objectives: Bio-security is an emerging concept not well understood by the local community. It is the protection, control and accountability of biological agents and toxins within laboratories, in order to prevent their loss, theft , misuse, un-authorized access or intentional un-authorized release. Laboratories are responsible for bio-safety and bio-security that protects their workers, animal population, and the environment from exposure or spread of pathogens they come across with. The purpose of this preliminary study was to collect data in order to assess and evaluate the measures being taken for bio-security in clinical diagnostic and research labs. Materials and Methods: This preliminary survey was carried out from March 2017 to August 2017 at the department of Botany, Islamia College Peshawar. In this study hundreds of clinical labs, Research labs and Academic purpose labs for routine practical work both in public and private setups were focused. The visits to the sites were pre-scheduled and in some cases were informal and un-scheduled with the hope to get a clear picture of the practices or measures. A detailed observational survey and un-written questions were used to elicit information. Th e focus was on laboratory licensing system, infrastructure, administration, quality assurance, collection, handling, processing, storage and transportation of clinical samples, waste disposal, Lab records, access to bio-hazardous materials and security checks on pathogens and on researchers and workers. Results: Based on standard Bio-Risk Management (BRM) guidelines, maximum numbers of the labs were below minimum required standard and were categorized as BSL-0. Varieties of BSL-2 and BSL-3 category bacterial and viral pathogens were easily assessable and, therefore, were isolated and identified in our lab. Conclusion: We conclude that lab management is lacking at all levels. It is recommended that bio-security concerns be conveyed to all stakeholders for designing and implementing action plan.

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