A Low Cost, Sustainable Alternative to the Class II BSC for AFB Smear Microscopy
Presented by Joe Masella at the Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association Annual Conference, Bali, Indonesia, 26th & 27th April, 2012
The presentation covered a range of issues relating to conducting sputum smear examinations in areas that do not have access to conventional biological safety cabinets. Discussion topics included:
Solutions
In addition to good laboratory practices
Outcome
1. Design a simple workstation cabinet to perform smear microscopy, minimal maintenance, no HEPA filter, and develop a guidance document with performance specifications to fabricate “Fan Box” under local conditions.
2. Specification document could be a mix of European Standards, ASHRAE guidelines. WHO, ABSA, and CLSI should be involved in the writing of this guidance document.
3. General consensus to invite manufacturer of bio-safety cabinets and fume hoods in subsequent discussions.
4. A final consensus meeting of experts to discuss the nomenclature of “the box”, global standards, general safety practices, prototypes, and validation.
An expert consultation meeting was held at the CDC, September 15-16, 2009, attended by subject matter experts from CDC, WHO, FIND, APHL, Health Canada, CUH2A, NHLS South Africa, GERMFREE, and NSF. Recommendations were formulated for the Ventilated Workstation (VWS).
Summary
Current Status
For further information about Germfree’s Ventilated Workstation (VWS) please visit this page.
