Core Science
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Flowchart of Gram stain morphology that can be used to identify aerobic Gram-positive cocci.
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Aerobic Gram-Positive Rods Flowchart.
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Flowchart (with images) distinguishing alpha and gamma-hemolytic streptococci on blood agar plates.
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Summary of characteristics (with images) that can be used to distinguish alpha streptococci from streptococcus pneumoniae on blood agar plates.
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Summary of characteristics (with images) that can be used to identify Bacillus spp.
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Flowchart that can be used to identify bacteria by using Gram-positive stain.
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As part of the Microbiology Curriculum, this course is designed to familiarize you with basic culture media and the techniques used for microorganism identification in the microbiology laboratory. You will explore various culture media, learn to inoculate media through the use of a four quadrant streaking procedure, and recognize common problems when performing microbiological culture techniques.
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As part of the Microbiology Curriculum, this course is designed to familiarize you with basic culture media and the techniques used for microorganism identification in the microbiology laboratory. You will explore various culture media, learn to inoculate media through the use of a four quadrant streaking procedure, and recognize common problems when performing microbiological culture techniques.
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As part of the Microbiology Curriculum, this course is designed to familiarize you with basic culture media and the techniques used for microorganism identification in the microbiology laboratory. You will explore various culture media, learn to inoculate media through the use of a four quadrant streaking procedure, and recognize common problems when performing microbiological culture techniques.
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As part of the Microbiology Curriculum, this course is designed to familiarize you with basic culture media and the techniques used for microorganism identification in the microbiology laboratory. You will explore various culture media, learn to inoculate media through the use of a four quadrant streaking procedure, and recognize common problems when performing microbiological culture techniques.
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As part of the Microbiology Curriculum, this course is designed to familiarize you with basic culture media and the techniques used for microorganism identification in the microbiology laboratory. You will explore various culture media, learn to inoculate media through the use of a four quadrant streaking procedure, and recognize common problems when performing microbiological culture techniques.
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As part of the Microbiology Curriculum, this course is designed to familiarize you with basic culture media and the techniques used for microorganism identification in the microbiology laboratory. You will explore various culture media, learn to inoculate media through the use of a four quadrant streaking procedure, and recognize common problems when performing microbiological culture techniques.
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Hands-on microscopy laboratory exercises that learners can use along with equipment in their laboratory to reinforce concepts from associated eLearning course.
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Before a cell divides and DNA is passed from one cell to another, a complex process occurs. The DNA strands unwind and separate. Each strand makes a complementary strand by adding the appropriate nucleotides. As a result, there are now two double-stranded DNA molecules in the nucleus that contain the same information. This process is known as replication. This animation will describe the complex process in detail.
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Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a complex molecule of many components. These components can be divided into four main groups: basic elements, nucleosides, nucleotides, and nucleic acids. This video will describe how these four groups build upon each other to create the DNA molecule.
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RNA is similar in structure to DNA but is involved in different cellular functions. RNA contains the same basic elements of DNA but with three major differences in its structure. This video will describe these three differences. The video will also touch on the different types of RNA found in a cell and their functions.
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Column-based extraction is a method that employs selective binding of nucleic acid to a solid matrix, such as silica that is packed in a column. This video will show this procedure to remove nucleic acid from a specimen.
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Organic extraction is a method used to separate nucleic acid and other cellular components based on their differential solubility. This method uses a mixture of organic solvents, phenol and chloroform, to extract unwanted cellular components from nucleic acid. This video will show how the procedure is performed.
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Polymerase chain reaction or PCR is a technique for amplifying specific DNA fragments from a DNA template. PCR happens in three basic steps: denaturation, annealing, and extension. This video will show the steps in amplifying specific DNA fragments for the PCR technique.
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Detection of PCR products in real time can be accomplished by using fluorescent dyes or probes. Fluorescently labeled probes detect the amount of specific double-stranded DNA sequences. While fluorescent dyes detect only the amount of double-stranded DNA, in this video we are going to look at the principles behind fluorescent dye-based detection method.
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Flowchart (with images) that can be used to identify beta-hemolytic streptococci on blood agar plates.
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Images of positive and negative biochemical tests for Gram negative organisms.
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Images showing biochemical tests for identifying Gram- positive organisms.
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Guide that facilitators/mentors can use to oversee the completion of Gram-negative laboratory exercises. The guide contains instructions for laboratory exercises, objectives, laboratory setup, supply list, job aids, and an answer key.
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Hands-on Gram-negative exercises that learners can use along with equipment in their laboratory to reinforce concepts from associated eLearning course.
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Guide that facilitators/mentors can use to oversee the completion of Gram-positive laboratory exercises. The guide contains instructions for laboratory exercises, objectives, laboratory setup, supply list, job aids, and an answer key.
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Instructions (with images) for care and maintenance of a microscope.
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List of questions to consider while following a specimen from collection through microbiological testing.
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Descriptions (with images) showing colony morphology characteristics.
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This template is intended to help supervisors or training evaluators assess PPE competency in clinical and public health laboratory settings. The goal is to determine whether employees can appropriately select, don, doff, and dispose of PPE according to site—and activity-specific risk assessments.
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Table that describes various general media used in a public health or clinical microbiology laboratory.
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This job aid reviews basic information about diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for clinical laboratory testing.
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This resource guide includes available biological, chemical, and radiological resources for laboratories to reference during an emergency.
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Flowchart for identifying E. coli (non-stool).
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Guide that facilitators/mentors can use to oversee the completion of basic microscopy laboratory exercises. The guide contains objectives, laboratory setup, a supply list, and laboratory exercises, instructions, and an answer key as well as job aids.
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Glossary of terms and references for the Gram Negative Organism ID course.
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List of supplies and reagents needed to conduct a Gram stain and instructions on how to conduct a Gram staining procedure.
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Images depicting Gram stain results and cell shapes and arrangements.
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Flowchart for identifying lactose negative Gram-negative rods.
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Flowchart for identifying lactose positive Gram-positive rods.
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Gram-Negative Rods Non-Stool Pathogens Flowchart.
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Flowchart for identifying Gram-negative rods stool pathogens.
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This microlearning focuses on the laboratory technique known as the catalase test, which is commonly used to differentiate between bacterial species you will learn the proper techniques with the slide method and the tube method.
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This microlearning focuses on the laboratory technique known as the Motility Test, which is commonly used to differentiate between bacterial species by detecting if a bacterium is motile due to the presence of flagella.
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This microlearning teaches the proper techniques to be used while performing the Oxidase Test, which is one of several tests that is used to identify Gram-negative bacteria.
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Instructions and list of supplies (with images) for examining specimens for yeast.
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Summary of characteristics (with images) that can be used to identify listeria monocytogenes.
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This template is intended to help supervisors document the PPE training of employees in clinical and public health laboratory settings. Employees must be trained on PPE usage before they are allowed to perform work in areas requiring PPE. The types of PPE and their processes (e.g., donning and doffing) will be determined by the laboratory’s site-or procedure-specific risk assessment.
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This template is intended to help supervisors or evaluators of PPE programs in clinical and public health laboratory settings. The goal is to determine whether appropriate policies and procedures are in place to enable employees to safely and effectively use PPE. This template should be customized to address site-specific needs.
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Instructions and list of supplies (with images) for preparing a wet mount.
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Demonstration of the proper technique for performing an India ink stain.
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Demonstration of how to perform a potassium hydroxide or, KOH preparation, for detecting the presence of yeast in a specimen under a microscope.
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Demonstration of how to perform a wet mount using a bright-field microscope and the proper equipment.
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Guide that facilitators/mentors can use to oversee the completion of routine microscopy procedures laboratory exercises. The guide contains instructions for laboratory exercises, objectives, laboratory setup, supply list, job aids, and an answer key.
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This job aid contains hands-on routine microscopy exercises that learners can use along with equipment in their laboratory to reinforce concepts from the associated eLearning course.
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This job aid will familiarize learners with the major sections of the microscope.
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Instructions and list of supplies (with images) describing the process of making a smear preparation.
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Flowchart (with images) that can be used to identify staphylococci.
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Chart and images that can be used to interpret TSI reactions.
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Flowchart for identifying Y. pestis.
Diagnostic Testing
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This infographic includes general information to improve COVID-19 specimen handling and processing for more accurate results.
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The Diagnostic Stewardship toolkit was created to help organizations form diagnostic stewardship teams and apply guiding principles. Diagnostic Stewardship supports ordering the right test for the right patient at the right time to improve patient outcomes.
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Fact sheet listing common questions and answers about genetic testing and results.
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Procedure for removing disposable gloves safely.
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Fact sheet containing basic information about molecular genetic testing and results.
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Instructions for, and examples of, logging or recording results for qualitative tests, quantitative tests, quality control – qualitative tests, quality control – quantitative tests, and multiple tests.
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Instructions for performing external control testing including quality control log for qualitative and quantitative tests.
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Clinical and public health laboratories can use this toolkit to translate complex information into user-friendly messages for various audiences.
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An infographic and summary that depicts the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) as a “system of systems”.
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Laboratory Medicine Best Practices (LMBP) Data Abstraction Tool: LMBP Data Abstraction Coding Manual
Manual summarizing rules and guidelines for using a standardized abstraction form to record evidence for systematic reviews for best practices in laboratory medicine.
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This is a Thermo Fisher Scientific safety data sheet for methylene chloride.
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This infographic is a resource/tool to improve nasal mid-turbinate swab specimen collection for SARS-CoV-2 testing.
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This infographic is a resource/tool to improve nasopharyngeal swab specimen collection for SARS-CoV-2 testing.
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Checklist for setting up and preparing a workspace for conducting diagnostic tests.
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Blank results log for qualitative tests.
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Blank results log for quantitative tests.
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Blank results log for multiple tests.
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Blank results log with quality control for qualitative tests.
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Blank results log with quality control for quantitative tests.
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This is a sample chemical job hazard analysis that can be used to document a chemical’s hazards, volume, activities, exposure routes, and control measures volumes of specific chemicals used in the laboratory. Information on dichloromethane (methylene chloride) is used as an example.
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This job aid serves as a quick reference guide for personnel trained to pack and ship suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 specimens.
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Checklist containing study quality components.
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Fact sheet containing recommendations for laboratory professionals performing molecular genetic testing.
Informatics
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The LIMS manages the information workflow through the laboratory. It interfaces or interacts with many of the other systems within and outside the laboratory. These systems can include those that interface with laboratory instruments. This video will explain the difference between the LIMS and other laboratory systems.
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To understand how test results are obtained, you need to start from the beginning where specimens are collected. This video will give an overview of specimen collection, testing, and test results.
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Data and reports may be sent to stakeholders outside the laboratory. Some examples of where data may be sent include electronic health records, vital records, and a disease registry. This data will follow at least one of two distinct paths. This video will discuss these two paths.
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Depending on your laboratory certain tests may not be automated. This could be due to the nature of the test or because the testing instrument does not have a direct interface with the LIMS. For example, some tests require visual observation and manual data entry. This video will discuss important things to consider when results must be entered manually.
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Laboratory data and test results must be properly stored and managed. Proper data storage is a critical component of ensuring data integrity throughout the laboratory process. All data and results must be stored; however, they can live in many places within the laboratory. The main repository for all laboratory data and results is usually a LIMS. This video will discuss how laboratory data is stored and linked to other pertinent information.
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Everyone inside and outside of the laboratory has an important role to play in laboratory informatics. The extent of the role and specific responsibilities will vary. This video will discuss specific roles and responsibilities of those working in the laboratory with laboratory informatics.
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The post analytic phase consists of communicating testing results and storage or disposal of the specimen. This video will describe how the LIMS is involved in communicating results and determining storage or disposal of the specimen.
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Laboratories play a crucial role in supporting public health. Accurate diagnoses of diseases and protection from health threats depend on a laboratory's ability to produce quality data. There are many areas in the life of a specimen workflow where data quality can be compromised. This video will discuss these areas and how compromised data can affect a patient’s health.
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Throughout the life of a specimen, the amount of data associated with a specimen increases creating various relationships made up of different types of data. This video will cover the different types of data captured in the LIMS, their relationship, and importance to each other.
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Data standards provide a method to convey information in valid, meaningful, and actionable ways. Although there are many types of data standards, in this video we will focus on data representation and data exchange standards.
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The last step in the analytic process is recording laboratory test results. After testing, results are either recorded manually or through automation into the LIMS. During this process it is imperative that the data is checked for accuracy to ensure incorrect data is not entered into the LIMS. This video will explain why it is important to ensure accuracy in reporting results.
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A LIMS helps laboratories track and manage the workflow of a specimen and its associated data from the time a specimen is received through the reporting of results. LIMS have many capabilities and benefits. In this video we will describe the capabilities, benefits, and limitations of a LIMS.
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Informatics is a broad field that encompasses information science, information technology algorithms, and social science. In these videos we will review two types of informatics: laboratory informatics and public health informatics.
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Packing & Shipping
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Blank results log for quantitative tests.
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Example of typical shipping papers used for ground transport of Category A substances.
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This job aid defines the criteria to properly ship biological specimens to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Decision tree to help classify substance if shipping by motor vehicle courier/ground in accordance with Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).
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Decision tree to help determine the classification for substance if shipping by air.
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Reference document for packing Category A, Category B, and Exempt Human and Exempt Animal Specimens.
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Reference table for labeling, marking, and documenting requirements for the various classifications and modes of transport.
Preparedness
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Chart listing characteristics of Bacillus Anthracis (Anthrax).
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Flowchart for identifying aerobic Gram-negative rods or Gram-negative coccobacilli.
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Form used to provide an overview of important points to consider when conducting business from an Emergency Relocation Site.
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Chart listing characteristics of B. mallei.
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Flowchart used to identify or rule out B. mallei.
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Chart listing characteristics of B. pseudomallei.
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Flowchart used to rule out or refer B. pseudomallei.
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Flowchart used to rule out or refer Bacillus anthracis.
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This job aid can help guide employee conversations with their supervisor for specific information or guidance concerning training, administrative controls, and incident reporting.
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This job aid is a reference document for the required steps to take following a blood or OPIM exposure incident.
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This job aid is a reference document for items that should be included in a biological spill kit and the appropriate steps for cleaning up a blood or OPIM spill.
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Chart listing characteristics of Brucella spp.
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Flowchart used to rule out or refer Brucella spp.
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Worksheet to list the various communications systems a laboratory uses, the current providers, restoration contacts, and backup modes of communication.
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A notification list used to determine who has the authority to activate the continuity of operations plan based on predetermined triggers and how others in the organization will be notified of the decision to activate.
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Worksheet to list all facilities in which the organization operates, and designations for which facilities will be needed in an emergency or disaster situation.
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Worksheet to list essential functions, personnel needed, and other important information needed to maintain the continuity of the essential function when moving to an alternate worksite.
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Flowchart to assist in determining whether to activate a continuity of operations plan.
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Worksheet to list an organization’s critical functions, the primary authority (e.g., decision-making, procurement), and the order of succession in case the primary authority is unavailable.
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Worksheet to ensure that secure methods of communications are available in a continuity of operations situation.
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Guide for recording priorities and essential functions for laboratory continuity of operations.
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Worksheet to determine overall staffing needs for essential laboratory functions.
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Instructions, guidance, and sample text for the development of continuity plans and programs.
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Table used to determine whether to activate a continuity of operations plan based on the impact various emergencies may have on the laboratory.
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Template that planners can use to detail how essential laboratory operations will continue in the event the primary operating facility is incapacitated and personnel are unavailable or incapable of deploying to the alternate facility.
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This job aid reviews basic information about diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for clinical laboratory testing.
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Chart listing characteristics of biothreat agents and similar organisms.
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Table listing characteristics of biothreat agents and similar organisms.
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Chart differentiating Brucella spp. from other urea-positive, oxidase-positive gram-negative coccobacilli.
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Table to list contact information of emergency personnel and other important contacts.
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Examples of statements of applicability and scope for continuity of operations plans.
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Examples of executive summaries for continuity of operations plans.
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Examples of purpose statements for laboratory continuity of operations plans.
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Descriptions and images depicting characteristics of Francisella tularensis.
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Flowchart describing major characteristics in identifying Francisella tularensis.
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Table listing examples of potential laboratory threats (e.g., earthquake or fire), mitigation measures, and risks.
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Worksheet to help identify essential and non-essential laboratory functions.
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This Laboratory Onboarding Template (LOT) is a central location for laboratory-specific information and foundational training resources to rapidly onboard new hires or surge support staff from multidisciplinary backgrounds.
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The Supply Chain Frequently Asked Questions Job Aid is a follow-up resource from the “Supply Chain Lessons Learned and Q&A” OneLab network event held on October 28, 2021.
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Worksheet to list individuals and organizations to notify in the event of an emergency and the person responsible for notifying them.
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Worksheet to notify staff and others when the laboratory’s continuity of operations plan is implemented.
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Worksheet to list essential functions, key personnel, and their successors.
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Table to list names and contact information for each employee.
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Flowchart used to rule out or refer Francisella tularensis.
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Tool to help identify and prioritize essential laboratory functions.
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Worksheet to record changes to a continuity of operations plan outside the official plan review cycle.
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Table summarizing recommended biosafety levels for infectious agents.
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Worksheet that planners can use to list testing, training, and exercise requirements and the frequency that each should occur.
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Worksheet for recording details about essential files, records, and databases that need to be accessed after the laboratory’s continuity of operations plan has been implemented.
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Yersinia pestis Characteristics Chart.
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Yersinia pestis Differentiation Chart.
Quality
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In performing molecular procedures in the laboratory, it is essential that you keep contamination down to a minimum. Contamination can affect the results of your test. This video will discuss the necessary steps that should be used in reducing contamination.
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Featuring the top questions asked during OneLab’s popular 2023 webinar, with answers from Penny Keller, BS MB(ASCP), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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Protocol for labeling secondary laboratory containers.
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Continual improvement means making things better to benefit both the customer and the laboratory. Without your engagement, laboratories run the risk of having laboratory work that deviates from the protocol, rather than a seamlessly integrated QMS that supports the high-quality work of the laboratory. Your quality work in the laboratory helps inform healthcare decisions for the individual and the community.
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The cost of quality is more than a management tool. It’s a mindset that should be adopted at every operational level of a laboratory. The implications and cost associated with poor quality, or no quality, create ripple effects well beyond the walls of your laboratory. Adopting a cost of quality mindset helps improve all laboratory operations, which include reducing processing and testing errors and decreasing avoidable expenses that result from having to repeat the work. A laboratory pays for prevention once; however, it pays many times over to resolve recurring problems.
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Investing in a QMS will help your laboratory efficiently manage organizational assets, quantify the value, and impact a QMS brings, and identify opportunities to continuously improve your laboratory’s mission. Return on investment (or ROI) allows organizations to measure the worth of an investment in quality initiatives.
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Clinical and public health laboratories have a responsibility to ensure all specimen and testing activities are of the highest quality. Quality in the laboratory is a continual process and best accomplished using a systematic, managed approach.
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Reference Document for the 12 Quality System Essentials (QSE), that describe the foundational elements of laboratory Quality Management Systems (QMS).
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Laboratories play a crucial role in supporting public health. Accurate diagnoses of diseases and protection from health threats depend on a laboratory's ability to produce quality data. There are many areas in the life of a specimen workflow where data quality can be compromised. This video will discuss these areas and how compromised data can affect a patient’s health.
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Data standards provide a method to convey information in valid, meaningful, and actionable ways. Although there are many types of data standards, in this video we will focus on data representation and data exchange standards.
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The last step in the analytic process is recording laboratory test results. After testing, results are either recorded manually or through automation into the LIMS. During this process it is imperative that the data is checked for accuracy to ensure incorrect data is not entered into the LIMS. This video will explain why it is important to ensure accuracy in reporting results.
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Instructions and list of supplies (with images) for examining specimens for yeast.
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Regulatory requirements, resources including forms and examples, and images of common microscopic findings for the nine specific microscopic examinations that may be performed under a Certificate of PPM Procedures.
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Instructions and list of supplies (with images) describing the process of making a smear preparation.
Safety
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It is important to use standard precautions when cleaning up blood or body fluids. Always assume they are contaminated, and act accordingly.
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This job aid can help guide employee conversations with their supervisor for specific information or guidance concerning training, administrative controls, and incident reporting.
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This job aid is a reference document for the required steps to take following a blood or OPIM exposure incident.
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This job aid is a reference document for items that should be included in a biological spill kit and the appropriate steps for cleaning up a blood or OPIM spill.
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Checklist of activities/tasks needed to safely use biological safety cabinets.
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Featuring the top questions asked during OneLab’s popular 2023 webinar, with answers from Penny Keller, BS MB(ASCP), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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This job aid contains personal safety work and general safety work practices for working in the Laboratory.
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Protocol for labeling secondary laboratory containers.
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Donning and doffing Personal Protective Equipment is essential to keeping laboratorians and the public safe from possible contamination. This video focuses on donning and doffing a laboratory coat, gloves, and safety glasses with wrap around sides.
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This video demonstrates the donning and doffing of the following PPE: Gown, Gloves, Disposable Face Mask, and Face Shield. The doffing portion of this video demonstrates removing the gown and gloves.
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This video demonstrates the donning and doffing of the following PPE: Gown, Gloves, Disposable Face Mask, and Face Shield. The doffing portion of this video demonstrates removing the gown and gloves.
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Good Work Practices demonstrates the performance checks, the proper placement of equipment, and additional tasks needed to ensure a good performance of chemical fume hoods.
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How Airflow is Affected demonstrates how airflow in a chemical fume hood can be interrupted, altered, and changed by different factors.
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Some laboratory procedures require the use of compressed gas cylinders, and it’s important to learn how to safely and properly use them. This video takes you through the steps necessary for safely setting the compressed gas regulator, beginning with turning on the flow of gas from the cylinder to the regulator to controlling the pressure of the gas being delivered from the regulator to your laboratory equipment. Knowing how to properly set your regulator pressure will help maintain a safe working environment in the laboratory.
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Knowing how to properly use compressed gas cylinders is essential for maintaining a safe laboratory. The regulator on a gas cylinder controls the flow and pressure of gas from the cylinder to your laboratory equipment. This training video shows a step-by-step tutorial for safely attaching a regulator to a compressed gas cylinder, including the proper tools and how to check for damage.
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Checking your compressed gas cylinder for leaks will help keep your laboratory safe and will also help maintain accurate laboratory procedures. This training video shows how to use a bubble test to check for leaks and changes in gas pressure at both the inlet and outlet valves on the regulator. Regularly checking for leaks and keeping a record of these system checks helps maintain a safe working environment in the laboratory.
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Incidents in the laboratory are situations in which an employee is injured or exposed to a pathogen. An incident without an injury is known as a near miss. To reduce risk, laboratories should put various safety controls in place, including the best practice of reporting all incidents. It’s important to report and record all incidents, even near misses, to ensure risks are minimized or properly assessed. In this video, a laboratory technician punctures their glove with a needle but doesn’t pierce their skin. Is this an event that should be reported?
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A laboratory incident, such as a sharps injury, could cause an employee serious harm or exposure to a dangerous pathogen. A near miss is an incident that doesn’t result in an injury or exposure, it’s called a near miss. It’s important to report and record all incidents, even near misses, to ensure risks are properly assessed and mitigated. In this video, an animal researcher has a sharps incident during which they puncture their skin with a needle after removing the needle from a research animal. Is this considered an incident or a near miss? Should this situation be reported?
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Biological, chemical, and physical hazards can put laboratory employees at risk for safety incidents that could injure themselves, fellow employees, the public, and the environment. To lower risk, each laboratory should promote a culture of safety in which laboratory safety issues are immediately addressed and consistently assessed. Laboratory employees should be trained in best practices that are outlined in the laboratory SOP and exposure control plan. These administrative controls are assessed annually or reassessed after an incident or near miss. Together these safety measures contribute to a culture of safety that helps to lower risk for laboratory employees, the public, and the environment.
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Laboratory employees are at risk for coming into contact with biological, chemical, and physical hazards in their daily work. As part of OSHA’s bloodborne pathogens standard, laboratories must follow certain guidelines to identify risks in the laboratory and do what they can to lower these risks. A hierarchy of safety controls should also be in place to mitigate risk. This video presents a scenario asking how new laboratory employees can find out what hazards are present in their laboratory.
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Working in a laboratory can put an employee at risk for coming in contact with biological, chemical, and physical, and electrical hazards. In this video, a laboratory technician heats an unlabeled solution using a hot plate that is connected by a long extension cord to an outlet on the other side of the laboratory. The technician leaves the solution unattended, and another employee happens to trip over the cord, knock over the solution, and burn their hand on the hot plate. What were the circumstances leading to this incident and how could it have been avoided? What are some best practices for maintaining laboratory safety in this situation?
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Directional airflow in the laboratory is an engineering control that keeps possibly contaminated air in a laboratory from reaching other areas. The constant influx of air directs flow through biological safety cabinets and fume hoods where the air can travel through filters. In this video, a laboratory technician notices that the flutter tape, indicating the direction of airflow, is showing that air is moving out of the laboratory instead of into the laboratory. What should this technician do next?
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Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are administrative controls that help reduce risk from harm by identifying hazards in the laboratory. An SOP usually outlines best practices, procedures, and guidelines for laboratory employees, while keeping track of regular risk assessments, training, and incidents. In this video, an employee is tasked with using a new procedure. When they look up the SOPs and risk assessments that are available, they find that the new protocol may have additional risks. What should they do next?
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Wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE), like a laboratory coat, can help protect employees from incidents like spilling or splashing biological or chemical hazards on themselves while performing procedures in the laboratory. In this video, a laboratory technician notices that a fellow employee is wearing their laboratory coat outside the laboratory in the office area. The technician worries that this practice could result in an exposure incident. What safety resources are available to help the technician identify whether this practice is an incident or near miss and direct them on how to address the situation?
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Methylene chloride, a chemical used in many laboratory procedures, is a potential cancer-causing chemical that’s been known to harm the brain, liver, and heart after repeated exposure to large volumes. Even though only small volumes are used in the laboratory, the potential for harm requires methylene chloride to be used under the OSHA standard, 29 CFR 1910.1052. In this training video, the basic health hazards of methylene chloride are introduced, along with safety controls required by the OSHA standard to help mitigate your risk for exposure in the laboratory.
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Cleaning Up a Spill demonstrates how to appropriately clean up a spill inside a biosafety cabinet.
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Completing Work in a BSC demonstrates the steps to be performed after BSC work is completed.
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Factors Affecting Airflow Inside the BSC demonstrates how Airflow in a biological safety cabinet or BSC can be interrupted, altered, and changed by many different factors. These interruptions can lead to potential exposures and/or product contamination.
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Preparing for Work in a BSC demonstrates the performance checks, the proper placement of equipment, and additional tasks needed to prepare for working inside of a biological safety cabinet.
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Safe Use of a BSC depicts best practices to work safely in a BSC.
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This job aid explains two ways to clean your hands for proper hygiene: washing with water and using alcohol-based sanitizer.
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This Laboratory Onboarding Template (LOT) is a central location for laboratory-specific information and foundational training resources to rapidly onboard new hires or surge support staff from multidisciplinary backgrounds.
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The Laboratory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Toolkit is a guide to resources on using PPE in clinical and public health laboratories.
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This quick guide contains links to the resources included in the Laboratory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Toolkit.
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This is a Thermo Fisher Scientific safety data sheet for methylene chloride.
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The Point of Care Testing (POCT) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Toolkit is a guide to resources on using PPE in POCT settings.
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Guidance for strengthening the culture of safety in the laboratory as it pertains to reporting incidents and near misses.
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This is a sample chemical job hazard analysis that can be used to document a chemical’s hazards, volume, activities, exposure routes, and control measures volumes of specific chemicals used in the laboratory. Information on dichloromethane (methylene chloride) is used as an example.
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This job aid provides tips for Selecting and Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
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Reference for items that are forbidden from being put down the drain.
Video Library
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Compound microscopes require regular cleaning to help ensure accurate diagnoses and prevent damage to the microscope. However, microscopes are delicate instruments that must be handled with care. Do not use toilet paper, Kleenex, or paper towels as these may contain particulates that could scratch the lenses. Do not apply pressure. This video walks you through the basic techniques used to clean your microscope from top to bottom. Consult your manual on the preferred cleaning solution.
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A microscope is a very important instrument in the laboratory. It is necessary to focus your microscope when viewing specimens to perform a proper analysis and give an accurate diagnosis. This video gives a brief overview of how to focus on a specimen using a compound microscope. It demonstrates the steps in focusing a compound light microscope from 10X to 100X. The use of immersion oil for the 100X lens is also specifically shown.
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To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to visualize samples as clearly as possible. Köhler illumination is a light microscopy where the user aligns the illuminating optics to produce a uniform background, maximize contrast, minimize artifacts, and reduce stray light. This video is a brief tutorial on how to set Köhler illumination on a compound microscope to get a brilliant image. Please note that the ability to adjust the condenser aperture or field aperture (diaphragm) may vary by manufacturer. Consult your manual for additional instructions.
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The most common type of microscope is a compound light microscope. It contains two or more lenses and uses visible light to produce a two-dimensional image of an object viewed through the oculars. This video provides a description of the three main sections of a microscope—the head, the arm, and the base—and their important components.
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Size is one of the most important physical features when identifying and characterizing an organism in the lab. The exact size of an organism can be determined using a calibrated ocular micrometer. An ocular micrometer is a calibrated ruler etched on a glass disk that is used for measuring organisms under a microscope. The ocular micrometer sits inside the eyepiece. This video provides step-by-step instructions on how to calibrate an ocular micrometer on a compound microscope with mathematical calculations. It also shows how to use the stage micrometer, which is a special glass slide clipped to the stage of the slide, to calibrate the ocular micrometer. Calibration should be done separately for each objective lens and different microscopes.
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Microscopes are important pieces of equipment used in the management of patient care. Compound microscopes have mechanical and optical components essential to their function and use. It is important to set up microscopes for optimal viewing every time it is used. This video gives a brief overview of how to set up a microscope for viewing a specimen on a slide.
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The creation of RNA is made possible by a process called bacterial transcription. Through transcription the information contained in a section of DNA is replicated to form a new piece of messenger RNA (mRNA). This video will cover the three steps to create mRNA. mRNA is used to manufacture proteins through a process called translation.
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Before a cell divides and DNA is passed from one cell to another, a complex process occurs. The DNA strands unwind and separate. Each strand makes a complementary strand by adding the appropriate nucleotides. As a result, there are now two double-stranded DNA molecules in the nucleus that contain the same information. This process is known as replication. This animation will describe the complex process in detail.
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Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a complex molecule of many components. These components can be divided into four main groups: basic elements, nucleosides, nucleotides, and nucleic acids. This video will describe how these four groups build upon each other to create the DNA molecule.
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RNA is similar in structure to DNA but is involved in different cellular functions. RNA contains the same basic elements of DNA but with three major differences in its structure. This video will describe these three differences. The video will also touch on the different types of RNA found in a cell and their functions.
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In performing molecular procedures in the laboratory, it is essential that you keep contamination down to a minimum. Contamination can affect the results of your test. This video will discuss the necessary steps that should be used in reducing contamination.
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Column-based extraction is a method that employs selective binding of nucleic acid to a solid matrix, such as silica that is packed in a column. This video will show this procedure to remove nucleic acid from a specimen.
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Gel electrophoresis is a method used for separation of nucleic acid using a porous gel matrix depending on the size of the nucleic acid. This video will show how this procedure is performed.
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When performing liquid phase nucleic acid extraction, a method called alcoholic precipitation is used where contaminants such as organic solvents salts and proteins are removed from nucleic acid in a solution. This video will show how the procedure is performed.
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Magnetic bead-based extraction is a method that utilizes small particles with a paramagnetic core that binds to nucleic acid. This video will show how the procedure is performed.
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Organic extraction is a method used to separate nucleic acid and other cellular components based on their differential solubility. This method uses a mixture of organic solvents, phenol and chloroform, to extract unwanted cellular components from nucleic acid. This video will show how the procedure is performed.
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Polymerase chain reaction or PCR is a technique for amplifying specific DNA fragments from a DNA template. PCR happens in three basic steps: denaturation, annealing, and extension. This video will show the steps in amplifying specific DNA fragments for the PCR technique.
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Detection of PCR products in real time can be accomplished by using fluorescent dyes or probes. Fluorescently labeled probes detect the amount of specific double-stranded DNA sequences. While fluorescent dyes detect only the amount of double-stranded DNA, in this video we are going to look at the principles behind fluorescent dye-based detection method.
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Donning and doffing Personal Protective Equipment is essential to keeping laboratorians and the public safe from possible contamination. This video focuses on donning and doffing a laboratory coat, gloves, and safety glasses with wrap around sides.
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This video demonstrates the donning and doffing of the following PPE: Gown, Gloves, Disposable Face Mask, and Face Shield. The doffing portion of this video demonstrates removing the gown and gloves.
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This video demonstrates the donning and doffing of the following PPE: Gown, Gloves, Disposable Face Mask, and Face Shield. The doffing portion of this video demonstrates removing the gown and gloves.
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Good Work Practices demonstrates the performance checks, the proper placement of equipment, and additional tasks needed to ensure a good performance of chemical fume hoods.
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How Airflow is Affected demonstrates how airflow in a chemical fume hood can be interrupted, altered, and changed by different factors.
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Some laboratory procedures require the use of compressed gas cylinders, and it’s important to learn how to safely and properly use them. This video takes you through the steps necessary for safely setting the compressed gas regulator, beginning with turning on the flow of gas from the cylinder to the regulator to controlling the pressure of the gas being delivered from the regulator to your laboratory equipment. Knowing how to properly set your regulator pressure will help maintain a safe working environment in the laboratory.
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Knowing how to properly use compressed gas cylinders is essential for maintaining a safe laboratory. The regulator on a gas cylinder controls the flow and pressure of gas from the cylinder to your laboratory equipment. This training video shows a step-by-step tutorial for safely attaching a regulator to a compressed gas cylinder, including the proper tools and how to check for damage.
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Checking your compressed gas cylinder for leaks will help keep your laboratory safe and will also help maintain accurate laboratory procedures. This training video shows how to use a bubble test to check for leaks and changes in gas pressure at both the inlet and outlet valves on the regulator. Regularly checking for leaks and keeping a record of these system checks helps maintain a safe working environment in the laboratory.
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Incidents in the laboratory are situations in which an employee is injured or exposed to a pathogen. An incident without an injury is known as a near miss. To reduce risk, laboratories should put various safety controls in place, including the best practice of reporting all incidents. It’s important to report and record all incidents, even near misses, to ensure risks are minimized or properly assessed. In this video, a laboratory technician punctures their glove with a needle but doesn’t pierce their skin. Is this an event that should be reported?
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A laboratory incident, such as a sharps injury, could cause an employee serious harm or exposure to a dangerous pathogen. A near miss is an incident that doesn’t result in an injury or exposure, it’s called a near miss. It’s important to report and record all incidents, even near misses, to ensure risks are properly assessed and mitigated. In this video, an animal researcher has a sharps incident during which they puncture their skin with a needle after removing the needle from a research animal. Is this considered an incident or a near miss? Should this situation be reported?
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Biological, chemical, and physical hazards can put laboratory employees at risk for safety incidents that could injure themselves, fellow employees, the public, and the environment. To lower risk, each laboratory should promote a culture of safety in which laboratory safety issues are immediately addressed and consistently assessed. Laboratory employees should be trained in best practices that are outlined in the laboratory SOP and exposure control plan. These administrative controls are assessed annually or reassessed after an incident or near miss. Together these safety measures contribute to a culture of safety that helps to lower risk for laboratory employees, the public, and the environment.
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Laboratory employees are at risk for coming into contact with biological, chemical, and physical hazards in their daily work. As part of OSHA’s bloodborne pathogens standard, laboratories must follow certain guidelines to identify risks in the laboratory and do what they can to lower these risks. A hierarchy of safety controls should also be in place to mitigate risk. This video presents a scenario asking how new laboratory employees can find out what hazards are present in their laboratory.
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Working in a laboratory can put an employee at risk for coming in contact with biological, chemical, and physical, and electrical hazards. In this video, a laboratory technician heats an unlabeled solution using a hot plate that is connected by a long extension cord to an outlet on the other side of the laboratory. The technician leaves the solution unattended, and another employee happens to trip over the cord, knock over the solution, and burn their hand on the hot plate. What were the circumstances leading to this incident and how could it have been avoided? What are some best practices for maintaining laboratory safety in this situation?
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Directional airflow in the laboratory is an engineering control that keeps possibly contaminated air in a laboratory from reaching other areas. The constant influx of air directs flow through biological safety cabinets and fume hoods where the air can travel through filters. In this video, a laboratory technician notices that the flutter tape, indicating the direction of airflow, is showing that air is moving out of the laboratory instead of into the laboratory. What should this technician do next?
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Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are administrative controls that help reduce risk from harm by identifying hazards in the laboratory. An SOP usually outlines best practices, procedures, and guidelines for laboratory employees, while keeping track of regular risk assessments, training, and incidents. In this video, an employee is tasked with using a new procedure. When they look up the SOPs and risk assessments that are available, they find that the new protocol may have additional risks. What should they do next?
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Wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE), like a laboratory coat, can help protect employees from incidents like spilling or splashing biological or chemical hazards on themselves while performing procedures in the laboratory. In this video, a laboratory technician notices that a fellow employee is wearing their laboratory coat outside the laboratory in the office area. The technician worries that this practice could result in an exposure incident. What safety resources are available to help the technician identify whether this practice is an incident or near miss and direct them on how to address the situation?
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Methylene chloride, a chemical used in many laboratory procedures, is a potential cancer-causing chemical that’s been known to harm the brain, liver, and heart after repeated exposure to large volumes. Even though only small volumes are used in the laboratory, the potential for harm requires methylene chloride to be used under the OSHA standard, 29 CFR 1910.1052. In this training video, the basic health hazards of methylene chloride are introduced, along with safety controls required by the OSHA standard to help mitigate your risk for exposure in the laboratory.
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Continual improvement means making things better to benefit both the customer and the laboratory. Without your engagement, laboratories run the risk of having laboratory work that deviates from the protocol, rather than a seamlessly integrated QMS that supports the high-quality work of the laboratory. Your quality work in the laboratory helps inform healthcare decisions for the individual and the community.
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The cost of quality is more than a management tool. It’s a mindset that should be adopted at every operational level of a laboratory. The implications and cost associated with poor quality, or no quality, create ripple effects well beyond the walls of your laboratory. Adopting a cost of quality mindset helps improve all laboratory operations, which include reducing processing and testing errors and decreasing avoidable expenses that result from having to repeat the work. A laboratory pays for prevention once; however, it pays many times over to resolve recurring problems.
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Investing in a QMS will help your laboratory efficiently manage organizational assets, quantify the value, and impact a QMS brings, and identify opportunities to continuously improve your laboratory’s mission. Return on investment (or ROI) allows organizations to measure the worth of an investment in quality initiatives.
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Clinical and public health laboratories have a responsibility to ensure all specimen and testing activities are of the highest quality. Quality in the laboratory is a continual process and best accomplished using a systematic, managed approach.
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Cleaning Up a Spill demonstrates how to appropriately clean up a spill inside a biosafety cabinet.
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Completing Work in a BSC demonstrates the steps to be performed after BSC work is completed.
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Factors Affecting Airflow Inside the BSC demonstrates how Airflow in a biological safety cabinet or BSC can be interrupted, altered, and changed by many different factors. These interruptions can lead to potential exposures and/or product contamination.
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Preparing for Work in a BSC demonstrates the performance checks, the proper placement of equipment, and additional tasks needed to prepare for working inside of a biological safety cabinet.
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Safe Use of a BSC depicts best practices to work safely in a BSC.
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The LIMS manages the information workflow through the laboratory. It interfaces or interacts with many of the other systems within and outside the laboratory. These systems can include those that interface with laboratory instruments. This video will explain the difference between the LIMS and other laboratory systems.
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This microlearning focuses on the laboratory technique known as the Gram stain, which is commonly used to differentiate between bacterial species that are Gram-positive and Gram-negative.
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This microlearning focuses on the laboratory technique known as the catalase test, which is commonly used to differentiate between bacterial species you will learn the proper techniques with the slide method and the tube method.
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This microlearning focuses on the laboratory technique known as the Motility Test, which is commonly used to differentiate between bacterial species by detecting if a bacterium is motile due to the presence of flagella.
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This microlearning teaches the proper techniques to be used while performing the Oxidase Test, which is one of several tests that is used to identify Gram-negative bacteria.
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To understand how test results are obtained, you need to start from the beginning where specimens are collected. This video will give an overview of specimen collection, testing, and test results.
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Data and reports may be sent to stakeholders outside the laboratory. Some examples of where data may be sent include electronic health records, vital records, and a disease registry. This data will follow at least one of two distinct paths. This video will discuss these two paths.
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Depending on your laboratory certain tests may not be automated. This could be due to the nature of the test or because the testing instrument does not have a direct interface with the LIMS. For example, some tests require visual observation and manual data entry. This video will discuss important things to consider when results must be entered manually.
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Laboratory data and test results must be properly stored and managed. Proper data storage is a critical component of ensuring data integrity throughout the laboratory process. All data and results must be stored; however, they can live in many places within the laboratory. The main repository for all laboratory data and results is usually a LIMS. This video will discuss how laboratory data is stored and linked to other pertinent information.
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Everyone inside and outside of the laboratory has an important role to play in laboratory informatics. The extent of the role and specific responsibilities will vary. This video will discuss specific roles and responsibilities of those working in the laboratory with laboratory informatics.
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The post analytic phase consists of communicating testing results and storage or disposal of the specimen. This video will describe how the LIMS is involved in communicating results and determining storage or disposal of the specimen.
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Laboratories play a crucial role in supporting public health. Accurate diagnoses of diseases and protection from health threats depend on a laboratory's ability to produce quality data. There are many areas in the life of a specimen workflow where data quality can be compromised. This video will discuss these areas and how compromised data can affect a patient’s health.
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Throughout the life of a specimen, the amount of data associated with a specimen increases creating various relationships made up of different types of data. This video will cover the different types of data captured in the LIMS, their relationship, and importance to each other.
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Data standards provide a method to convey information in valid, meaningful, and actionable ways. Although there are many types of data standards, in this video we will focus on data representation and data exchange standards.
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The last step in the analytic process is recording laboratory test results. After testing, results are either recorded manually or through automation into the LIMS. During this process it is imperative that the data is checked for accuracy to ensure incorrect data is not entered into the LIMS. This video will explain why it is important to ensure accuracy in reporting results.
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A LIMS helps laboratories track and manage the workflow of a specimen and its associated data from the time a specimen is received through the reporting of results. LIMS have many capabilities and benefits. In this video we will describe the capabilities, benefits, and limitations of a LIMS.
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Informatics is a broad field that encompasses information science, information technology algorithms, and social science. In these videos we will review two types of informatics: laboratory informatics and public health informatics.
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Demonstration of performing a direct smear from a specimen in the last step for culturing microorganisms.
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Demonstration of performing a gram stain procedure following the American Society of Microbiology’s Manual of Clinical Microbiology Procedures.
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Demonstration of the proper technique for performing an India ink stain.
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Demonstration of how to perform a potassium hydroxide or, KOH preparation, for detecting the presence of yeast in a specimen under a microscope.
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Demonstration of how to perform a wet mount using a bright-field microscope and the proper equipment.
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Spanish Job Aids
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COVID-19 Point-of-Care Batch Testing Tips
This infographic includes general information to improve COVID-19 specimen handling and processing for more accurate results.
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Diagnostic Sensitivity and Specificity for Clinical Laboratory Testing
This job aid reviews basic information about diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for clinical laboratory testing.