Safety Challenges in Anatomic Pathology During Viruses Epidemics (SC21)

Course overview

During COVID-19 pandemic, every the institution's pathology department has made corrections in safety measures in the Standard Operating Procedure Manuals (SOP) in the USA and similar documents around the world. They follow the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as World Health Organization (WHO). Current workshop addresses some technical details which might be omitted in the institution's SOPs, as too specific, but these details are very important. Clear understanding of principles allows all participants to adhere rational protective measures. Apparently, the safety measures are different depending on the workplace. The viruses aerosolization brings challenges to safety anatomic pathology workers, especially during aerosol-generating procedures. Additional measures for SARS-CoV-2 virus aerosolization prevention can be divided approximately in three groups: organizational issues, the procedure itself, and protective measures for participants, as well as working and adjacent rooms. Timing of the procedure and preparation of a working room are significant part of preventive organization measures. Most efforts of prevention viruses aerosolization are concentrated on minimizing evaporation from the surfaces which potentially contain viruses. In this regard, rational working practices and adjustments of engineering controls in the rooms are essential. Lowering the speed of air circulation and room temperature, as well as increase of humidity minimize evaporation. Safety measures include additional requirements for personal protective equipment use, especially during doffing them. The use of PPE should be differentiate depending on the procedure. The workshop intends to discuss different types of face protective equipment. Epidemiology issues, which determine safety at the work place, are presented at the grossing-technology.com website's COVID-19 blog.