Comprehensive Biosafety Plan

Identification of Biological risks

In order to clearly identify the risks, patients and samples are defined according to the classification of biological agents defined in article 3 of the Royal Decree 664/1997 of May 12, on the protection of workers against risks related to exposure to biological agents during work:

Article 3. Classification of biological agents

For the purposes of the provisions of this Royal Decree, biological agents are classified, based on the risk of infection, into four groups:

• group 1 biological agent: that which is unlikely to cause a disease in man;
• group 2 biological agent: one that can cause a disease in man and can pose a danger to workers, being unlikely to spread to the community and there is generally prophylaxis or effective treatment;
• group 3 biological agent: one that can cause a serious disease in man and presents a serious danger to workers, with the risk of spreading to the community and generally existing prophylaxis or effective treatment;
• group 4 biological agent: one that, causing a serious disease in man, poses a serious danger to workers, with a high probability of spreading to the community and without the existence, generally, of prophylaxis or effective treatment.

 Classification of patients/samples

All patients and samples related to this classification must be identified according to the following color code:

Patients/Samples Group 0 (green): Patients/samples without infectious diseases. In these patients, infections from other patients or nosocomial diseases due to opportunistic pathogens must be prevented. In this type of samples, contamination must be prevented.

Patients/Samples Group 1 (green): Patients/samples with infectious diseases that have no real risk of transmission. They are the majority of the samples or patients, therefore the biosafety standards are the general standards established in this manual. Implementation of these standards will minimize the risk of multi-resistant microorganisms in the facility. Additionally, these rules minimize the risks of people passing pathogens between animals.

Patients/Samples Group 2 (green): Patients/samples with infectious diseases that have no real risk of transmission but in which it is mandatory to carry gloves. For example, those patients diagnosed or suspected of Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), Chronic Rhinitis, Aspergillosis, Leukopenia, Severe Immunosuppression or Sepsis. The biosafety rules for these samples/patients are the general rules of this manual. Implementation of these standards will minimize the risk of multi-resistant microorganisms in the facility. In addition, these rules minimize the risks of users transmitting pathogens between animals.

Patients/Samples Group 3 (yellow): Patients/samples with suspicion or diagnosis of infectious diseases that they can infect to other patients, or suspected of suffering from zoonotic diseases (transmissible to humans, including the veterinarian). For example: Clostridium or patients with multiresistant bacteria. Biosafety procedures are focused on minimizing the risks of transmission, so it is very important to implement them as soon as possible and not only when the diagnosis is confirmed.

Examples of Pathogens zoonotic infectious and parasitic (Group 3):

• Ancylostoma
• multi-resistant bacteria
• Bartonella (Cat scratch disease)
• Bordetella bronchiseptica
• Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease)
• Campylobacter jejuni
• Clostridium difficile
• Cryptosporidium
• Dipylidium caninum
• echinococcus
• Escherichia coli
• giardia spp
• Leishmania spp
• Microsporum spp and Trichophyton (Dermatophytosis)
• Pasteurella multocida (Pasteurellosis)
• Fleas, Ticks, Mites
• Rickettsia rickettsii (Rocky Mountain Fever)
• Salmonella
• Sporothrix
• Staphylococcus aureus methicillin resistant (MRSA pyoderma)
• enterococcus vancomycin resistant
• Toxocara
• toxoplasma gondii

List of infectious and parasitic pathogens non zoonotic (Group 3):

• Canine Influenza Virus (Influenza)
• feline calicivirus
• feline herpesvirus
• canine parainfluenza virus
• Canine adenovirus type 2
• Feline panleukopenia virus

Patients/Samples Group 4 (red): Patients/Samples with suspicion or diagnosis of infectious diseases highly contagious to other patients, or suspected of suffering from zoonotic diseases (transmissible to humans, including the veterinarian). For example: Parvovirus, Panleukopenia, Acute Rhinitis, Distemper.

list of diseases zoonotic (Group 4):

• brucella canis (Brucellosis)
• Chlamydophila psittaci (Psittacosis)
• coxiela burnetti (Q fever)
• Francisella tularensis (Tularemia)
• leptospira spp (Leptospirosis)
• listeria monocytogenes (Listeriosis)
• Rage
• Rickettsia typhi

list of diseases non zoonotic (Group 4):

• canine distemper virus
• canine parvovirus

The possible physical risks inherent in teaching activities in Veterinary Medicine and in research activities are:

• The classification of risk levels established in the criteria of the National Institute of Safety and Hygiene at work will be followed.
• Accidents related to the facilities such as risk of cuts, blows, tripping, falling suspended loads, electrical risk, low temperature, fire, etc. Risks of falls in refrigeration and/or freezing rooms and chambers.
• Cuts, scratches, punctures or skin contact caused by handling instruments: scalpels, knives, needles, glass, scissors, cutting band saws, etc.
• Traffic accidents in University vehicles or in private or public transport to external facilities
• Accidents caused by living beings. The behavior of animals is sometimes unpredictable. Their handling can cause them to respond inappropriately and cause accidents. For example: kicks, bites, bites, scratches, blows, etc.
• Exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Radiation exposure. Diagnostic imaging equipment (X-rays and Tomography) emit radiation, so for its use, the standards and control mechanisms established by the ULPGC Radiological Protection Service must be followed.

The use of chemical, pharmacological and toxic products is common in all laboratories and facilities.

Special mention requires anesthetics, chemotherapy drugs, strong acids and bases. As well as cleaning and disinfection products for the facilities.

All chemical products used may constitute a chemical risk for users and their instructions for use must be read and followed.

All laboratories that use chemicals must have eyewash facilities and access to a safety shower.

All installations in which gases are released must have protection measures, for example: laminar flow chamber, gas extraction, protection filters, etc.

The chemical risk classification and instructions will be followed as established in the labeling for storage or packaging, as well as what is established in the Chemical Products Regulations.

ID

All staff (PDI and PAS) and students must be correctly identified during the execution of teaching and research activities at the facilities. To do this, the identification card (ULPGC smart card) will be used in a visible place.

In red code restricted access facilities, access with personal identification is not allowed, and must be left in the tray along with other personal belongings, since the cord that holds it and other elements that carry the card can act as sources of infection and transmission of infectious agents.

Codes for restriction of access and movement of people.

Where necessary, lines on the ground and signage will be installed to restrict access to certain facilities:

Yellow Code and Yellow Lines: authorized access respecting the rules of identification, clothing and behavior that are described in the specific protocol and on the information panels of each space.

Red Code and Red Lines: access to these areas is strictly prohibited to any person not authorized by the Biosafety manager of the facility. The rules of identification, clothing and behavior that are described in the specific protocol and on the information panels of each space must be respected. To guarantee security, the facilities identified in red must have electronic locks that can only be opened using the ULPGC smart card.

Each protocol defines the specific rules for access and exit at each facility and the need for identification for access by smart card and electronic lock.

Locker room:

• Access to the Faculty and to all external facilities is done in street clothes. It is forbidden to use work clothes in public or private transport.
• It is not possible to access the cafeteria or common areas of the Faculty with work clothes.
• Work clothes cannot be worn in theoretical teaching classrooms, study rooms, library, etc.
• In the event that there is an obligation to change clothes to access a facility, there will be a changing room so that the user can change clothes. At the entrance and at the exit.
• There are lockers in the Faculty available to students to store their personal belongings. In addition, all staff must have access to lockers.
• Work clothes must always be clean and must be changed whenever necessary. In the case of the existence of clients or the general public, they can equate the general appearance with the level of competition.
• In case of wearing long hair, it must be collected, because it can be more easily contaminated in different activities.
• The jackets (blouses) must be short-sleeved since long sleeves make it impossible to properly clean the hands.
• The use of ties in laboratories and practice places is not allowed, since it can be easily contaminated and it is usually a garment that is not washed frequently.
• The use of contact lenses (lenses) is not allowed as the accidental splashing of liquids (eg strong acid) would prevent rinsing with an eyewash and therefore constitutes a risk of eye injury.

Costume Color Code: 

To avoid cross-contamination between the different work areas, and as a prophylactic measure in the transmission of diseases between groups, it is mandatory to follow the color code in the changing room, which is as follows:

• Laboratories: White lab coat or white pajamas. Closed footwear (sandals cannot be worn). Short sleeves are only allowed in the case of working with Group 0 patients/samples and chemical products are not handled.
• Necropsy and Dissection Room: Green pajamas (pants and jacket). Apron. Wellington boots are in the locker room and may not be worn in other facilities.
• Faculty Farm: Maroon jumpsuit. Wellington boots are in the locker room and may not be worn in other facilities.
• Practices in external farms (including the Cabildo). Dark blue work overalls. Clean wellies. In case of working with equines and cows, the use of boots with steel toecaps is mandatory.
• Veterinary Clinical Hospital. Pajamas (pants and jacket) in light blue or patterned. HCV staff may wear dark blue pajamas with the hospital logo but these clothing may not be worn in any other facility. Closed shoes or soft-soled clogs (sandals cannot be worn). In case of working with equines and cows, the use of boots with steel toecaps is mandatory.
• Slaughterhouse: 1 clean white coat (it's cold first thing in the pens and you have to put it on over your pajamas). 2 clean pajamas 1 obligatory green color for the dirty area of the slaughterhouse 1 obligatory maroon/purple color for the clean area of the slaughterhouse. 1 White and clean rubber boots 1 Cloth and white cap. For people with long hair, it should be a net. 

Mandatory laundry:

They cannot take home clothing from, at least, the following facilities:

• Veterinary Clinical Hospital.
  • Only for activities carried out in hospitalization areas for patients with infectious diseases or containment area.
  • It does not apply to practices in consultations, operating rooms, or to workshops or regulated practices on healthy animals.
• College farm.
• Necropsy room.

For this reason, said facilities must have specific clothing for all its users and may not be used in other facilities.

Rest of wardrobe:

Professional clothing for personal use must be washed at home when necessary, with the precaution that washing is carried out separately from the rest of the household laundry.

At the ticket offices, this professional wardrobe cannot be in contact with street clothes.

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE's).

In each installation, the need to incorporate, or not, Individual Protection Equipment will be indicated according to the risks. They are detailed in each protocol according to facilities.

Equipment and facilities

Each facility has all the necessary material to carry out the activities. No equipment can be moved from the facilities. Once the use of any equipment is finished, it must be left clean and tidy in the same place it was found before use. If you find damaged equipment, you must notify the building administration or the person in charge of the facilities. There must be informative posters on the cleaning and disinfection procedures in each work area, in such a way that any user can carry them out; for example, deposit of dirty instruments, cleaning of the consultation table, benches, work area, etc.

General rules of behavior

The following general rules are established:

• Always closed footwear (sandals cannot be worn) due to the risk of cuts and punctures or liquid spillage.
• Soft-soled shoes are preferred as they make less noise and reduce disturbance in work areas.
• Rings or jewelry cannot be worn, as they can carry microorganisms and reduce the effectiveness of the hand hygiene protocol.
• The piercings must be removed or covered with dressings.
• If you have long hair, it must be tied up.
• Nails must be kept short.
• Leave all personal items (backpacks, folders, etc.) in the lockers.
• Staff or students are not allowed access to the facilities with pets or exotic animals unless they are in their carrier and because they come to be cared for at the HCV.
• Access to the library or classrooms with animals is not allowed.
• It is strictly forbidden to eat or drink in the laboratories or work areas.
• Smoking is prohibited on campus.
• Do not put your hands in your eyes or mouth if they have not been washed previously.
• In case of wounds or burns, they must be protected correctly, especially in the hands, where the use of gloves would be mandatory.
• Large, offensive tattoos should be covered up, as a professional appearance must be maintained.

All the procedures included in these guides will carry an informative poster that must be visible in the facilities to which it refers.

Specific good practice guides can be generated in the Biosafety Protocols corresponding to each facility.

Hand hygiene

Hand hygiene is the most important factor influencing the risk of infectious disease transmission.
Hand sterilization is not the goal of hand hygiene, the goal is to reduce the number of microorganisms, particularly the number of microorganisms that are part of the transient microflora of the skin, as these include most opportunistic pathogens on hands. These transient microbes can be picked up by contact with a patient, another person, contaminated equipment, or the environment.
There are two methods for removing/destroying microorganisms on hands: washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against certain pathogens, including bacterial spores (for example, clostridial spores) and Cryptosporidium spp. However, alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be helpful, even against alcohol-resistant pathogens such as Clostridium difficile.

General instructions for hand washing:

• Moisten hands and forearms with hot water.
• Add 3—5 ml of soap.
• Rub hands for at least 30 seconds, including forearms and fingernails.
• Rinse with hot water until the soap is gone.
• Do not close the tap with clean hands, use the hand towel.
• Dry hands with paper.

When to wash your hands?

• As long as they are dirty.
• Immediately after removing the gloves.
• Before touching any non-intact area of skin, eyes, mouth, etc...
• After cleaning utensils or equipment.
• Between two patient scans.
• After playing samples.
• Before and after eating.
• Before and after going to the bathroom.
• Before and after applying a treatment to a patient.
• At the end of the activities carried out.

Receipt of samples

The reception and processing of samples for academic or research activities can only be carried out by persons authorized by the biosafety manager of the facility.

The reception of the samples/patients will be done considering the danger of biological, physical and chemical agents. Before handling the samples/patients, the samples/patients must be labelled/identified and the necessary precautions taken according to the biological risks (coding by green, yellow or red labels) and follow the procedures established in the specific protocols.

All waste generated must be deposited in containers according to the general waste classification established in the Comprehensive Waste Management Plan at the University (PIGRU) of the ULPGC (Initial version)

• Procedure for the management of Hazardous Waste in the ULPGC (last revision February 6, 2018).
• Procedure for the management of residual material with radioactive content (last revision February 6, 2018)

More information in:
http://www.sostenible.ulpgc.es/

In case of an accident:

• Notify the administration of the Veterinary Building.
• Call 112 (dial “0” first).

ACCIDENT PROTOCOL IN EXTERNAL INTERNSHIPS:

• Healthcare is outside the two attached insurance policies: Civil Liability Policy and Group Accident Insurance. The Civil Liability Policy is only for the civil liability of the ULPGC for damages that students may cause in the company. This policy covers the risk of the obligation to compensate the third party for damages caused by a foreseen event and for the consequences of which the third party is civilly responsible, that is, it only insures liability arising from fault or liability arising from damage caused accidentally. or involuntarily to things and people.
• In the BOULPGC of July 2013, the Rector's Resolution was published clarifying the right to health care for students. As established therein, all Spanish students are beneficiaries of School Insurance, as well as nationals of the countries of the European Union and those integrated into the Agreement on the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). Likewise, all refugees and stateless persons residing in the territory of the above countries are beneficiaries of school insurance. The age limit for applying for school insurance is 28 years, although school insurance will cover the entire year in which the student reaches that age. This is also reflected in the Student Welcome Manual, where besides explains where students should go in case of accident.
• Information about him School insurance.
• Since School Insurance coverage is limited, it is recommended that students on external internships also take out “Cum Laude” insurance.
• Information about “Cum Laude” insurance:
• This insurance is signed by the student when formalizing registration at the beginning of the course. If they want to do so later, they must go to their Building Administration and request it. On these dates the settlement of the current year has already been carried out, so it is no longer possible to subscribe. The address where the information is: (link)
• Students who are going to do internships abroad must apply for a European health card (for countries in the European Community) and/or take out private insurance. At the International Relations Office you can find out about the private insurance that Mobility students take out ("On Campus").

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