READINESS OF LABORATORIES FOR EMERGENCIES: THE IMPACT OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, BIOSAFETY, AND RESPONSE SYSTEMS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11603/mcch.2410-681X.2025.i1.15430Keywords:
laboratory readiness; emergencies; laboratory personnel; biosafety; practical experience; readiness index; response system; risk managementAbstract
Introduction. The readiness of laboratory personnel for emergencies is critically important for effective response to disasters, epidemics, and other threats. This is especially true for high biological risk laboratories, which provide diagnostics and control of infectious diseases. The aim of the study was to assess the level of laboratory readiness for emergencies by examining the impact of organizational and technical aspects on their ability to respond effectively.The Aim of the Study – to investigate the key factors of laboratory personnel readiness for emergencies, particularly the impact of biosafety structures, practical experience in emergencies conditions, and other organizational aspects.Research Methods. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 105 employees of state high biological risk laboratories. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and K-means cluster analysis were used for data analysis. A Readiness Index was developed, which included five key indicators: perception of infection risk, evaluation of incident response systems, availability of emergency response services, practical experience in EE, and perception of the consequences of emergencies.Results and Discussion. It was found that practical experience in emergencies conditions has the greatest impact on the Readiness Index (ρ≈0.58, p<0.001). Cluster analysis identified three groups of laboratories: medium readiness (Cluster 1), high readiness (Cluster 2), and low readiness (Cluster 3). The most vulnerable were the laboratories in Cluster 3, which require comprehensive intervention to improve readiness.Conclusions. The results of the study confirm the importance of practical experience and the presence of biosafety structures for improving laboratory readiness for emergencies. Differentiated measures are recommended for each cluster, including staff training, implementation of effective response systems, and enhanced control of biorisks.
References
Wahyuni R. D., Pasinringi S. A., Palutturi S., Sabir M., Mutiarasari D., Miranti, Rasyid, M., Harun, H., Rahma, Mallongi A., & Lewa A. F. Hospital laboratory management in dealing with disaster. Gaceta Sanitaria, 2021. 35 (Suppl. 2), S180–S182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gac-eta.2021.10.020.
Leite J. A., Gresh L., Vicari A., Gabastou J. M., Perez E., Aldighieri S., et al. ‘COVID-19 laboratory preparedness and response in the Ameri- cas Region: Lessons learned’. PLoS One. 2021. 16(6):e0253334. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253334.
International Organization for Standardization. (2019). ISO 35001:2019: Biorisk management for laboratories and other related organisations. URL: https://www.iso.org/standard/71293.html.
Reason J. Human error: Models and manage- ment. BMJ, 2000. 320(7237), 768–770. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.320.7237.768.
World Health Organization. Laboratory biosafety manual (4th ed.). Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization. 2020.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bio- safety in microbiological and biomedical laboratories (6th ed.). Atlanta, GA : U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2019.
Flin R., O’Connor P., & Crichton M. Safety at the sharp end: A guide to non-technical skills. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Publishing. 2008.
International Organization for Standardization. ISO 15189:2022: Medical laboratories – Requirements for quality and competence. URL: https://www.iso.org/standard/76677.html. 2022.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Medical and Clinical Chemistry
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
