ABSTRACT
Containment technology in the hospital setting may mean isolation of patients to prevent the spread of contagious disease. Or it can mean separation of the caregiver from contaminated body fluids, potent medications, or other hazardous materials. The chapter focuses on separation of personnel from potentially hazardous materials in the hospital laboratory and in the pharmacy. Sample preparation involves transfer of material to be tested, whether fluid or solid, to the proper container, addition of materials to provide the proper media, and placement of test materials into the container for receipt by the test instrument. Testing equipment can create airborne material where pumping or transfer of the material occurs under pressure. Tracking of disease rates and adverse effects from potential exposures has not been commensurate with data collection and analysis taking place in other life sciences industries such as pharmaceuticals.
