Role of First Aid Kits in Microbiology Laboratory

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Get a comprehensive overview of the role of first aid kits in microbiology laboratory and know about the various techniques used in case of burns and chemical injuries.

I. Acid Burns: 

Nitric, Sulphuric, Hydrochloric and Trichloroacetic acids in all cases – Wash immediately with large quantities of water.

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Acid Splashes on the Skin:

(a) Wash thoroughly and repeatedly with water.

(b) Bathe the affected skin with cotton wool soaked in 5% aqueous sodium carbonate.

Acid Splashes in the Eye:

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(a) Wash the eye immediately with large quantities of water sprayed from a wash bottle or rubber bulb. Squirt the water into the corner of the eye near the nose.

(b) After washing, put 4 drops of 2% aqueous sodium bicarbonate into the eye.

(c) Refer the patient to a physician. Continue to apply bicarbonate solution to the eye while waiting for the doctor.

Alternatively, hold the eye under the running tap.

Swallowing Acids:

Accidental swallowing while using a pipette.

(a) Call a physician.

(b) Make the patient drink some 5% soap solution immediately. Alternatively, give him two whites of egg mixed with 500 ml of water or milk. If neither of these is available, he should drink ordinary water.

(c) Make him gargle with the soap solution.

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(d) Give him 3 or 4 glasses of ordinary water.

(e) If the lips and tongue are burned by the acid-

i. Rinse thoroughly with water.

ii. Bathe with 2% aqueous sodium bicarbonate.

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II. Alkali Burns:

Sodium, potassium and ammonium hydroxide in all cases- Wash immediately with large quantities of water.

Important:

Alkali burns are as serious as and often serious then, acid burns.

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Alkali Splashes on the Skin:

(a) Wash thoroughly and repeatedly with water.

(b) Bathe the affected skin with cotton soaked in 5% acetic acid (or undiluted vinegar).

Alkali Splashes in the Eye:

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(a) Wash immediately with large quantities of water sprayed from a wash bottle or rubber bulb. Squirt the water into the corner of the eye near the nose.

(b) After washing with water, wash the eye with a saturated solution of boric acid (Apply drops repeatedly). Refer the patient to a physician at once.

Swallowing Alkalis:

Accidental swallowing while using a pipette:

(a) Send for a physician.

(b) Make the patient drink at once –

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A 5% solution of acetic acid or lemon juice or dilute vinegar (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water.)

(c) Make him gargle with the same acid solution.

(d) Give him 3 or 4 glasses of ordinary water.

(e) If the lips and tongue are burned by the alkali.

i. Rinse thoroughly with water.

ii. Bathe with 5% acetic acid.

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Poisoning:

This can be caused by:

(i) Inhaling toxic vapors or gases (e.g. Chloroform)

(ii) Accidental swallowing while pipetting a poisonous solution.

In all cases:

(a) Send for a physician or qualified nurse, specifying the toxic substance involved.

(b) Place the victim in the open air while waiting for the physician.

Burns Caused by Heat:

They fall into categories:

i. Severe Burns:

Affecting large areas of skin, e.g. burns caused when burning either or boiling water is spilled over the victim.

ii. Minor Burns:

Affecting a small area of skin, e.g. burns caused by hot glassware or a Bunsen flame.

III. Severe Burns:

(a) If the victim is on fire, e.g. if splashed with burning either or other inflammable solvent, roll him in a blanket or overall to smother the flames.

(b) Inform the physician on duty immediately.

(c) Lay the victim on the ground. Do not remove his clothing. Cover him if he is cold.

(d) Do not apply any treatment to the burns. This must be left to the physician.

IV. Minor Burns:

(a) Plunge the affected part into cold water or ice-water to soothe the pain.

(b) Apply mercurochrome or acriflavine ointment to the burn.

(c) Apply dry gauze dressing loosely.

(d) If the burn becomes infected or does not heal, refer the patient to a physician. Note: Never tear off the blisters that form over the burns.

Injuries Caused by Broken Glass:

These are caused by broken test tubes, syringes or other glassware.

(a) Wash the wound immediately to remove any glass pieces.

(b) Apply mercurochrome or acriflavine ointment to the wound.

(c) Cover with gauze and adhesive tape.

(d) If the cut bleeds profusely, stop the bleeding by pressing down on it with a compress. Refer the patient to a physician.

(e) If the cut bleeds heavily with the blood spurting out at intervals, try to stop the bleeding with a compress and call a qualified nurse.

(f) Continue to press on the wound while awaiting the physician’s or nurse’s arrival. He or she will decide whether a tourniquet should be applied.

Contamination by Infected Material:

Wounds caused by broken glassware containing stools, pus, etc.

(a) Wash wound immediately.

(b) Check whether the cut is bleeding. If not, squeeze hard to make it several minutes.

(c) Bathe the whole area, i.e. the edges of the cut and inside the cut, with antiseptic lotion.

(d) Wash thoroughly with soapy water.

(e) Refer the patient to a physician if the material involved is known to be very infective, e.g. pus.

Basic Supplies:

(i) Adhesive tape

(ii) Antibiotic ointment

(iii) Antiseptic solution or towelettes

(iv) Bandages, including a roll of elastic wrap and bandage strips (Band-Aid, Curad, others) in assorted sizes.

(v) Instant cold packs

(vi) Cotton balls and cotton-tipped swabs

(vii) Disposable latex or synthetic gloves, at least two pair

(viii) Duct tape

(ix) Gauze pads and roller gauze in assorted sizes

(x) First-aid manual

(xi) Petroleum jelly or other lubricant

(xii) Plastic bags for the disposal of contaminated materials

(xiii) Safety pins in assorted sizes

(xiv) Scissors and tweezers

(xv) Soap or instant hand sanitizer

(xvi) Sterile eyewash, such as a saline solution

(xvii) Thermometer

(xviii) Triangular bandage

(xix) Other bulb suction device for flushing out wounds.

Medications:

(i) Activated charcoal (use only if instructed by your poison control center)

(ii) Aloe Vera gel

(iii) Anti-diarrhea medication

(iv) Over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others)

(v) Aspirin and non-aspirin pain relievers (never give aspirin to children)

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(vi) Calamine lotion

(vii) Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream

(viii) Personal medications that don’t need refrigeration

(ix) If prescribed by doctor, drugs to treat an allergic attack, such as an auto-injector of epinephrine (EpiPen, Twinject, others)

(x) Syringe, medicine cup or spoon.

Emergency Items:

(i) Emergency phone numbers, including contact information for your family doctor and pediatrician, local emergency services, emergency road service providers and the regional poison control center.

(ii) Medical consent forms for each family member.

(iii) Medical history forms for each family member.

(iv) Small, waterproof flashlight and extra batteries.

(v) Candles and matches.

(vi) Sunscreen.

(vii) Emergency space blanket.