A new study co-funded by several universities and foundations in China, published in Vox Sanguinis, looks at the risk to blood transfusion department employees during the current pandemic.
Risks high for blood transfusion personnel
Laboratory personnel who work in these departments come into contact with the highly infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus when performing pre-transfusion testing and infectious disease screening. The study concluded that without sufficient biosafety protection the risk of contracting SARS‐CoV‐2 is high. During the report, the team not only analysed current laboratory biosafety protection practices in transfusion departments, but also explored ways to improve outcomes and enhance employee safety.
Lack of knowledge and training a major concern
Using results from an online survey involving more than 650 blood transfusion department personnel, almost 5% of participants admitted to not receiving any training regarding COVID-19. While most employees were concerned with contracting the virus, several had insufficient knowledge about the risks and therefore lacked the insight to take adequate safety precautions. Two participants revealed they had come into contact with laboratory personnel infected with SARS‐CoV‐2.
“Some personnel did not have adequate knowledge of laboratory biosafety protection and were unqualified to work in a laboratory during the COVID‐19 pandemic because they did not receive security and safety training,” reads the conclusion.
Read the full article here.