Evaluation of a laboratory safety program that integrates daily toolbox meeting to prevent laboratory exposure to high risk microorganisms

Abstract

Our clinical laboratory implemented toolbox meeting in 2017 to prevent recurrence of laboratory exposures to high risk microorganisms such as Brucella sp. and Neisseria meningitidis. This study evaluates the effectiveness of daily toolbox meetings by using objective and subjective methods, namely incident frequency rate and perception survey respectively. Responses collected from the survey were analysed using McNemar’s Test. Results showed a drop in exposure frequency since the adoption of toolbox meeting. Similarly, perception survey among laboratory technologists showed favourable improvements in various aspects, including communication, competency and consultation, some of which were statistically significant.