I am not and have never been afraid of contracting an illness from samples in the lab. We always use universal precautions and when working with an unusual pathogen, work under the biosafety cabinet. I have been a microbiologist for 30 years and have never become ill related to my work. The only people who I have known who have had work-related illness have not been following the safety policies to the letter. However, we do not routinely come in contact with organisms that are highly contagious. The most dangerous pathogen we come in contact with that could be spread via inhalation is Brucella sp. 

--Donna Carter, MT(ASCP),
Manager, Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics,
Northwest Community Hospital,
Arlington Heights, IL 

Not as long as the organization I work for is supportive in providing a safe workplace. That is the key element in keeping healthcare workers from contracting contagions. 

--Lori Garcia, MSc, HT(ASCP),
Senior Scientist,
Medtronic Cardiovascular,
Santa Rosa, CA 

No. I have been in this field for 42 years and have never contracted any illness from a specimen. Proper safety precautions are essential. 

--William Siemers, MS, MBA, MT(ASCP),
Administrative Director,
St. Joseph Regional Medical Center,
Paterson, NJ 

Having lived and worked through the initial HIV scare, I can safely say I don't fear our specimens. I believe the safety protocols we have in place and my own common sense have protected me for the past 23 years. Having said that ... I fear we are not being cautious enough with the H1N1, etc. Our frontline is our admissions staff, and they have introduced asking the patients if they have had CDiff, VRE and/or undiagnosed respiratory illness. We have asked that if a person responds yes to the undiagnosed respiratory illness, the patient immediately be given a mask to reduce the possibility of an airborne exposure to staff and other patients.  

Unfortunately, the follow up has been haphazard at best. We had approximately 20-30 staff (and goodness knows how many other individuals, visitors, patients, etc.) exposed to a patient that was positive for pertussis due to staff not following these recommendations. I have preached the slogan "If in doubt, dress out" to our phlebotomy staff for years. We must remember to protect ourselves, thereby ensuring the safety of ourselves, our coworkers, our patients and our families. I'll get of my soapbox now.  

--Melinda King, PBT(ASCP),
Support Services Coordinator,
Ozarks Medical Center Lab,
West Plains, MO  

No, but I am very afraid of H1N1. Our hospital has had confirmed cases of the swine flu. I would consider getting the vaccine. 

--Sara Shaw, MT(ASCP),
Staff Technologist,
Stanford Hospital and Clinics,
Stanford, CA 

No. I've been in the lab for 43 years and have not knowingly contracted anything from the lab. In cytology, we prepared many body fluids including respiratory specs for years without a hood and without much PPE other than gloves. Couldn't do that now but no one thought anything of it years ago. 

--Tom Leonard, CT(ASCP),
Cytology Technical Lead,
Sacred Heart Hospital,
Eau Claire, WI

No. 

--Linda, MS, MT(ASCP),
Lab Manager,
Saints Medical Center,
Lowell, MA 

Yes. 

--Andrea Harper, MT(ASCP)CM,
Microbiology Section Leader,
Speare Memorial Hospital,
Plymouth, NH 

Yes. I work in the micro lab and I have two small children. I also smoke. I get respiratory infections pretty frequently and I can't help but wonder if I'm getting them from the children or work? I use PPE at work, but there is no PPE for your children. 

--Elizabeth M. Branch, MLT(ASCP),
Medical Laboratory Technician,
Labcorp,
Burlington, NC 

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