*Uwandu, M. O., Ige, F. A., Okwuraiwe, A. P., Onwuamah, C. K.,and Audu, R. A.
Centre for Human Virology and Genomics, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
*Correspondence to: uwandumabel@yahoo.com; +2348033467717
Abstract:
Biosafety is an important issue globally, as a line of defence that protects health personnel, public and the environment from exposure to hazardous agents. Most developing nations have weak health systems and consequently weak biosafety. Engaging in an external quality program such as an accreditation process will help build capacity and competence in all areas. The Centre for Human Virology and Genomics (CHVG) laboratory of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria started its biosafety program in compliance to international standards stipulated by ISO 15189:2012, in its journey towards laboratory accreditation. Accreditation is widely used to attest for laboratory competence. In the quest for laboratory accreditation, several processes were implemented to ensure compliance, one of which was biosafety. Simple remedial actions and policies that have worked in other climes were applied over a 10-year period in the CHVG laboratory. A significant drop in nonconforming incidences and laboratory accidents was seen while biosafety audits showed improvement in safety practices.
Keywords: Biosafety, Infection control, audit Continue reading “Implementation of biosafety in infection control: a 10-year review”