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b. Follow routine precautions for handling "sharps." <br /> c. Handle specimens for culture or other laboratory examinations to <br /> prevent contamination of the outside of the container. If visibly <br /> or potentially contaminated, the outer surface of the specimen <br /> container shall be decontaminated. <br /> d. Place tissue specimens in fixative (10% formalin, ten times the <br /> volume of the tissue) at the table. <br /> 3. Decontamination <br /> a. Any spills of blood or body fluids shall be cleaned immediately <br /> with tuberculocidal disinfectant or diluted bleach (1:10 household <br /> bleach). <br /> b. All work surfaces and areas adjacent to the work area shall be <br /> cleaned, decontaminated and flushed with water. <br /> c. All instruments shall be decontaminated and rinsed with water. <br /> Alternatively, disposable instruments and "sharps" shall be dis- <br /> posed of in a puncture-resistant .container. <br /> d. All contaminated disposable clothing and supplies shall be handled <br /> as infectious waste. Reusable clothing shall be handled as infec- <br /> tious linen. <br /> e. If the autopsy reveals pathologic findings consistent with HIV, <br /> HBV or other blood-borne infection, or if tissue containing M. <br /> tuberculosis has been cut, the cryostat shall be defrosted and <br /> decontaminated immediately with a tuberculocidal disinfectant. <br /> Gloves and facial protection shall be worn during this cleaning <br /> procedure and extreme care taken when handling the microtome kni- <br /> ves. Otherwise, the cryostat shall be decontaminated immediately <br /> with 100% alcohol . <br /> f. Housekeeping will be notified to (1) provide a thorough, general <br /> cleanup once the procedure is complete and the Autopsy Room <br /> cleared, and (2) to clean and decontaminate the morgue refrigera- <br /> tor and body pan after mortuary transport of the remains. <br /> B. SURGICAL PATHOLOGY (All specimens to be considered potentially infectious) <br /> 1. Specimen Preparation <br /> a. Specimens shall be placed into sealable leakproof containers and <br /> fixative (10% formalin, at least 10 times the volume of tissue) at <br /> the point of collection. <br /> b. For transport, the primary container shall be placed into a secon- <br /> dary, outer, leak-resistant container. <br /> c. The pathology requisition shall be kept uncontaminated, preferably <br /> in a plastic bag. Contaminated requisition slips are to be dis= <br /> carded and replaced. <br /> 2. Barrier Precautions <br /> The following protective devices are required for persons handling <br /> surgical specimens: <br /> a. Clothing that provides coverage from the wrists to neck and <br /> ankles. <br /> b. Water-impervious gown or apron. <br /> Page 2 of 5 <br />