Approach to Sample Collection, Transport and Processing of Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Patients for Biochemistry Investigations

Niraula, Apeksha; Gelal, Basanta; Lamsal, Madhab

During this global pandemic period of COVID-19, the health care system is the most affected area. Health care workers including the clinicians, laboratory professional and other allied health workers pose a high threat for acquiring and transmission of the disease. Apart from the diagnosis of disease by the RT-PCR, other laboratory investigations are equally essential in disease prognosis and monitoring. This biosafety guidance is intended to provide and insight to the clinicians, nurses and laboratory professionals in handling the blood and other body fluid samples for biochemical investigations concerning the proper methods of sample collection, transport, processing and disposal. Every day, the laboratory receives samples of the patient with confirmed and suspected cases of COVID-19 patients. This pose a high threat of contamination to the health professionals and thus, a proper risk assessment and standard precautions protocol must be followed to ensure safety, minimize the risk of contamination and disease transmission.