Are biosafety practices in anatomical laboratories sufficient? A survey of practices and review of current guidelines

Biosafety practices in anatomical pathology laboratories are crucial to prevent unnecessary exposures to both chemical and biological agents. Regulatory and guidance agencies have general regulations and recommendations regarding anatomical pathology laboratory biosafety practices. This study aimed to determine if professionals' perceptions and actual practice mirror these guidelines. Current available regulations and recommendations for biosafety practices in anatomical pathology laboratories were reviewed and used to construct a brief, validated online survey distributed to anatomical pathology professionals. The survey was completed by 39 survey participants in pathology departments from diverse institutions. An average of 44% of respondents reported receiving inadequate biosafety training. At survey initiation, 61.5% of respondents felt that the risks of chemical and infectious disease exposures had been clearly explained to them; however, by completion of the survey, only 21% believed risks to be clearly explained. Respondents use a variety of personal protective equipment, yet only 60% would have been classified as meeting recommendations. Most respondents reported having a needle stick or cut (56.3%) or formalin exposure by splash or prolonged direct skin contact (62.5%). The survey indicated that there is a dire need for improved training in anatomical pathology biosafety as daily practices do not reflect current guidelines. In addition, improved training on exposure risks, including needle-stick injuries, personal protective equipment, and chemical hazards, is needed. Finally, the success of this training should be monitored locally as regulatory agency requirements do not seem to alter daily practice.