Biosecurity and Biosafety Plan

In order to clearly identify the risks, patients and samples are defined according to the classification of the biological agents defined in article 3 of the Royal Decree 664/1997 of May 12, on the protection of workers against the 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, according to the risk of infection, into four groups::

• biological agent of group 1:  unlikely to cause disease in man;
  
• biological agent of group 2:  can cause a disease in man and can pose a danger to workers, being unlikely to spread to the community and generally having prophylaxis or effective treatment;
  
• biological agent of group 3:  can cause a serious illness in man and presents a serious danger to workers, with the risk of spreading to the community and generally existing prophylaxis or effective treatment;
  
• biological agent of group 4: causing a serious illness in humans, poses a serious danger to workers, with a high probability of spreading to the community and without, in general, effective prophylaxis or 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 must be prevented by opportunistic pathogens. 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 rules are the general rules established in the manual. The implementation of these standards will minimize the risk of multiresistant microorganisms in the facilities. In addition, these rules minimize the risks of people transmitting pathogens among animals.

Patients/Samples Group 2 (GREEN): Patients / samples with infectious diseases that have no real risk of transmission but in which gloves must be worn. For example, those patients with a diagnosis or suspicion of Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), Chronic Rhinitis, Aspergillosis, Leukopenia, Severe Immunosuppression or Sepsis. The biosafety standards for these samples / patients are the general rules of the manual. The implementation of these standards will minimize the risk of multiresistant microorganisms in the facilities. In addition, these rules minimize the risk of users transmitting pathogens among animals.

Patients/Samples Group 3 (YELLOW): Patients / samples with suspicion or diagnosis of infectious diseases that may infect other patients, or suspected of suffering from zoonotic diseases (transmissible to humans, including the veterinarian). For example: Clostridium or patients with multiresistant bacteria. The Biosecurity 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 infectious and parasitic zoonotic pathogens (Group 3):

• Ancylostoma, Multi-resistant bacteria, Bartonella (Cats scratch disease), Bordetella bronchiseptica Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme Disease), Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium difficile, Cryptosporidium, Dipylidium caninum, Echinoccoccus, Escherichia coli, Giardia spp, Leishmania spp, Microsporum spp and Trichophyton (Dermatophytosis), Pasteurella multocida (Pasteurelosis), Fleas, Ticks, Mites
  Ricketsia rickettsii (Rocky Mountain Fever), Salmonella, Sporothrix, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (Pioderma MRSA), Vancomycin-resistant enterococci, Toxocara, Toxoplasma gondii,…

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

• Canine influenza virus, 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, Panleucopenia, Acute rhinitis, Distemper.

List of zoonotic diseases(Group 4):

• Brucella canis (Brucellosis), Chlamydophila psittaci (Psittacosis), Coxiela burnetti (Q fever), Francisella tularensis (Tularemia), Leptospira spp (Leptospirosis), Listeria monocytogenes (Listeriosis), Rage, Rickettsia typhy

List of non-zoonotic diseases (Grupo 4):

• Canine distemper virus, Canine parvovirus

• 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 facilities such as risk of cuts, bumps, trips, drop of suspended loads, electrical risk, low temperature, fire, etc. Risk of falls in the rooms and refrigeration and / or freezing chambers.
• Cuts, scratches, punctures or dermal contacts caused by the use of instruments: scalpels, knives, needles, glasses, scissors, cutting band saws, etc.
• Accidents of traffic in the vehicles of the University or in the private transport or public until 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, kicks, bites, pecks, scratches, blows, etc.
• Exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Exposure to radiation. Diagnostic imaging equipment (X-ray and tomography) emit radiation so, for its use, the rules and control mechanisms established by the Radiation Protection Service of the ULPGC must be followed.

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

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

All laboratories in which chemical products are used must have eyewash 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 classification of chemical risks and instructions as established in the labeling for storage or packaging, as well as that established in the Chemical Products Regulations will be followed.

Identification

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

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

Codes for restriction of access and movement of people.

Where necessary, lines will be installed on the floor and signage 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 in 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 person responsible for Biosecurity of the installation. The rules of identification, clothing and behavior that are described in the specific protocol and in the information panels of each space must be respected. To ensure safety, the facilities identified in red must have electronic locks that will only be opened by the ULPGC smart card.

In each protocol, the specific rules of access and exit are defined in each installation and the need for identification for access by smart card and electronic lock.

Clothing:

• Access to the Faculty and all external facilities is done with normal or “street” clothes. It is forbidden to use work clothes in public or private transport.
• You can not access the cafeteria or common areas of the Faculty with work clothes.
• You can not wear work clothes in the classroom of theoretical teaching, study rooms, library, etc.
• In the event that there is an obligation to change clothes for access to an installation, there will be a changing room so that the user can change their 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 should always be clean and should be changed whenever necessary. In the case of the existence of customers or the general public, they can equate the general aspect with the level of competence.
• If you have long hair, it must be collected, because it can be contaminated more easily in different activities.
• The jackets (blouses) should be short-sleeved because the long sleeves make it impossible to clean hands correctly.
• The use of ties in laboratories and practice sites is not allowed, as it can be easily contaminated and is usually a garment that is not washed frequently.
• The use of contact lenses (contact lenses) is not allowed as accidental splashing of liquids (eg a strong acid) would prevent rinsing with eyewashes and therefore constitutes a risk of eye injury.

Clothing 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 locker room and that is the following:

• Laboratories: White lab coat or white clinical scrub suit. Closed footwear (sandals can not be worn). Only short sleeves are allowed in the case of working with patients / Group 0 samples and chemical products are not handled.
• Necropsy and Dissection Room: clinical scrub suit (trousers and top) green. Apron. Boots are provided in the locker room and can not be used in other facilities.
• Faculty farm: Garnet colored jumpsuit. Boots are provided in the locker room and can not be used in other facilities.
• Practices in external farms (including the Cabildo). Dark blue work jumpsuit. Clean boots. In case of working with equine and cows, the use of boots with steel toecaps is mandatory.
• Veterinary Teaching Hospital. clinical scrub suit (trousers and top) in light blue or printed. HCV staff may wear dark blue Pajama with hospital logo but this clothing can not be used in any other facility. Closed footwear or soft soled clogs (sandals can not be worn). In case of working with equidae and cows, the use of boots with steel toecaps is mandatory.
• Slaughterhouse: 1 clean white coat (it is cold in the corrals first thing and it is necessary to put it on top of the pajamas). 2 clean clinical scrub suits (trousers and top) 1 compulsory green color for the dirty area of ​​the slaughterhouse 1 garnet / purple color mandatory for the clean area of ​​the Slaughterhouse. 1 White and clean rubber boots. 1 Cloth and white cap. For people with long hair, a hairnet is mandatory.

Mandatory laundry:

Clothing from the following facilities can not be taken for home (personal laundry):

• Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
  • Only for activities developed in areas of hospitalization of patients with infectious diseases or containment area.It does not apply to practices in consultation, operating rooms, workshops or regulated practices on healthy animals.
• Necropsy room.

That is why these facilities must have specific clothing for all its users and may not be used in other facilities.

Other clothes:

Professional clothing for personal use should be washed at home when necessary, with the precaution that the washing is done separately from the rest of the domestic laundry.

At the lockers, this professional clothes can not be in contact with street clothes.

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).

Each facility will indicate the need to incorporate, or not, Personal Protection Equipment according to the risks. They are detailed in each protocol according to facilities.

Equipment and facilities:

In each installation, all the material necessary to carry out the activities is available. No equipment can move from the facilities. Once you have finished using any equipment, it should be left clean and tidy in the same place it was before use. If you find a damaged equipment, you must inform the building administration or the person in charge of the facilities. There should be informative posters on cleaning and disinfection procedures in each work area, so that any user can do them; for example, deposit of dirty instruments, cleaning of consultation table, lab benches, work area, etc.

General rules of behavior.

The following general rules are established:

• Footwear always closed (sandals can not be worn) due to the risk of cuts and punctures or the spilling of liquids.
• Shoes with soft soles are preferred because they make less noise and reduce disturbance in work areas.
• You can not wear rings or jewelry, as they can be carriers of microorganisms and reduce the effectiveness of the hand hygiene protocol.
• Pearcings must be removed or covered with dressings.
• In case of wearing long hair, it should be picked up.
• The nails should be short.
• Leave all personal items (backpacks, folders, etc.) in the lockers.
• It is not allowed the access of the staff, or of the students, to the facilities with companion or exotic animals unless they go in their pet carrier and because they are going to be attended in the HCV.
• Access to the library or classrooms with animals is not allowed.
• Eating or drinking is strictly prohibited in laboratories or work areas.
• Smoking is prohibited on campus.
• Do not put your hands in your eyes or mouth if they have not been previously washed.
• In case of wounds or burns, it is necessary to protect them properly, especially on the hands, where
• the use of gloves is mandatory.
• Extensive and offensive tattoos should be covered, because you have to maintain a professional appearance.

In the Biosecurity Protocols corresponding to each installation, specific good practice guides can be generated.

Hand hygiene

Hand hygiene is the most important factor that influences the risk of transmission of infectious diseases.
The sterilization of the hands is not the goal of hand hygiene, the objective is to reduce the number of microorganisms, in particular the number of microorganisms that are part of the transient microflora of the skin, since these include most opportunistic pathogens in the hands. These transient microbes can be picked up by contact with a patient, another person, contaminated equipment, or the environment.
There are two methods to eliminate / destroy microorganisms in the hands: washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against certain pathogens, including bacterial spores (eg, clostridial spores) and Cryptosporidium spp. However, alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be useful, even against alcohol-resistant pathogens, such as Clostridium difficile.

General instructions for hand washing:

• Wet hands and forearms with hot water.
• Add 3-5 ml of soap.
• Rub hands for at least 30 seconds, including forearms and nails.
• Rinse with hot water until the soap disappears.
• Do not turn off the tap with clean hands, use dry hand paper.
• Dry your hands with paper.

When to wash your hands?

• Whenever they are dirty.
• Immediately after removing the gloves.
• Before touching any area of skin not intact, eyes, mouth, etc …
• After cleaning utensils or equipment.
• Between two patient scans.
• After touching 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.

Reception of samples

The reception and processing of the samples for academic or research activities can only be carried out by the persons authorized by the facility’s biosecurity officer.

The reception of the samples / patients will be done considering the dangerousness of the biological, physical and chemical agents. Before handling the samples / patients, the samples / patients should be labeled / identified and the necessary precautions should be 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 the containers according to the general classification of waste established in the Plan Integral de Gestión de Residuos en la Universidad (PIGRU) de la ULPGC (Comprehensive Waste Management Plan at the University of the ULPGC)

More information (in Spanish):

http://www.sostenible.ulpgc.es/

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

PROTOCOL OF ACCIDENTS IN EXTERNAL PRACTICES:

1.- Health care is outside of the two insurance policies attached: Civil Liability Policy and Collective Accident Insurance. The Civil Liability Policy is only for the civil liability of the ULPGC for damages that may be caused by students in the company. This policy covers the risk of the obligation to indemnify the third party for damages caused by an anticipated event and whose consequences are civilly liable, that is, that only liability arising from fault or liability arising from accidental damage is ensured. or involuntarily to things and people.

2.‐ In the BOULPGC of July 2013, the Rector’s Resolution was published clarifying the right to health care for students. As established in the same, all Spanish students are beneficiaries of the School Insurance, as well as nationals of the countries of the European Union and those included in the Agreement on the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). Likewise, all refugees and stateless persons residing in the territory of the previous countries are beneficiaries of school insurance. The age limit for the application of school insurance is 28 years, although the school insurance will cover the entire year in which the student reaches that age. The same is included in the Student Welcome Manual), where it also explains where students should go in case of accident.

3.-Information on School Insurance:

http://www.seg-social.es/Internet_1/Trabajadores/PrestacionesPension10935/PrestacionesdelSegu28622/index.htm

Since the coverage of the School Insurance is limited, it is recommended that the students in external interns also contract the insurance “Cum Laude”.

4.- Information about the insurance “Cum Laude”:

This insurance is signed by the student when formalizing the registration at the beginning of the course, if he wants to do it after they have to go to the Administration of his Building and request it. On these dates, the liquidation of the current year has already been practiced, so it is no longer possible to subscribe.

The address where the information is:

http://www2.ulpgc.es/index.php?pagina=accesoulpgc&ver=cumlaude

5.- The students that are going to carry out the practices abroad must request the European health card (for countries of the European Community) and / or subscribe a private insurance. In the International Relations Office you can find out about the private insurance that students of Mobility subscribe to (“On Campus”).