DISPOSAL OF MEDIA USED AND CLEANING GLASSWARE USED FOR MICROBIOLOGICAL TESTING - SOP

1.0 PURPOSE : To provide a written procedure for safe and effective disposal of media items used in Microbiological testing laboratory.
2.0 SCOPE: The procedure covers step from disinfecting to safe disposal off pathogenic cultures, glassware used, contaminated Material obtained from the following tests,
•Contaminated media tubes, or petri dishes or other glass wares.
•Sub culture tube after their validity period is over.
•Media with positive cultures
•Plates used for total Microbial count.
•Tubes and plates used for Microbial limit test.
•Tubes used in sterility testing
•Unused Medias.
3.0 RESPONSIBILITY:
Microbiologist / Q.C. Executive
4.0 ACCOUNTABILITY: Manager Q.C.
5.0 DEFINITION: Nil
6.0 PROCEDURE:
6.1 Place all culture tubes and petri dishes or containers showing growth, properly in Metal tray. Arrange the plates and load in stainless steel perforated baskets and autoclave at 125º C for 30 minutes at 15 lbs.
6.2 Wear rubber gloves, masks and dispose off melted agar from autoclaved tubes and petri dishes into a container by scooping it with a spatula and wash them after soaking in detergent solution for 24 hours.
6.3 Collect all used pipettes in an angel tray containing 5 % (Disinfectant) Dettol solution and soak them overnight. Autoclave them at 121 deg C for 30 minutes prior to washing, remove cotton plugs and wash them after soaking in detergent solution.
6.4 Carry out chromic acid treatment for all the glassware on Monthly basis by soaking cleaned glassware in chromic acid overnight and rewashing it.
6.5 Handling of Infectious materials and inoculated media should be done by qualified personal, who have been trained by Microbiological procedure.
6.6 PRECAUTIONS:
6.6.1 Use separate glasswares for Microbiological testing purpose only.
6.6.2 Use separate autoclave for the destruction of culture purpose only.
7.0 REFERENCES : Nil
8.0 ENCLOSURES : Nil
9.0 ABBREVIATIONS : Nil