Entry to and Exit from the Microbiology testing area and Sterility testing area.

1. Title: Aseptic Entry and Exit Procedure for Microbiology and Sterility Testing Areas

2. Purpose: To provide step-by-step instructions for proper aseptic gowning and entry/exit procedures into the Microbiology and sterility testing areas to prevent contamination.

3. Scope: This SOP applies to all personnel entering or exiting the following areas:

        – Microbiology Testing Area

        – Sterility Testing Area

4. Responsibilities:

        – All microbiologists must strictly follow this procedure

       – The Head of Department is responsible for ensuring compliance with this SOP

5. Procedure:

• Ensure the air handling unit for the microbiology testing area and sterility test area have been switched on before entering.

1. Entry to and Exit from Microbiology Testing Area

• Press the ‘push’ button on the door frame of Change Room 1 when the green light is on. Push open the door.
• Wear shoe covers, cross over the bench, and enter to Change Room 2.
• Use the hand disinfectant to sanitize your hands.
• Put on the hood to completely cover your hair, then wear the long apron, tucking the hood neatly inside the apron.
• Wear safety goggles and cross over the bench.
• Put on sterile gloves and disinfect your hands again using the hand disinfectant. Press the ‘push’ button and enter in to Testing Room when the green light is on / shows the GO indicator.
• After completing your work, exit the testing area by pressing the ‘push’ button and pulling the door open when the green light is on.
• Cross over the bench, remove gloves, and discard them in the waste bin. Remove goggles and place them in the goggle bin after sanitization.
• Enter Change Room 2 by crossing over the bench. Remove the apron and hood and place them in the used dress bin for washing.
• Remove shoe covers and discard them in the waste bin.
• Enter into Exit Room 1 by pressing the ‘push’ button and pulling the door open when the green light is on / shown the GO indicator.

1. Entry to and Exit from Sterility Testing Area

• Remove your watch, rings, and any other ornaments before entering into sterility test area.
• Enter Change Room 1, remove your lab apron and street clothes (except undergarments), and place them on the shelf. Also, remove your shoes and place them under the shelf.
• Wear shoe covers, cross over the bench, and enter Change Room 2.
• Follow the primary gowning procedure as in the microbiology area, but instead of a hood, wear a cap to cover your hair. Put on sterile gloves.
• Enter Change Room 3 by pressing the ‘push’ button and pushing the door open when the green light is on / shown the GO indicator. Sanitize your hands with disinfectant.
• Take and wear clean primary garments (Shirt and pant) from bottom rack of garment cubicle.
• Open the sterile dress cabinet, wear the hood by tying the laces behind your head, covering your nose, mouth, and hair completely. Adjust the space for your eyes to have a comfortable vision.
• Wear the sterile gown, taking care not to let it touch the floor or walls. Tuck the hood neatly inside the gown and pull the gloves over the gown sleeves.
• Wear sterile booties on both feet and put on safety goggles.
• Wear a second pair of sterile gloves over the first pair and sanitize your hands.
• Check in the mirror to ensure your gowning is proper.
• Check that the hood is covering your hair, nose, and face properly and is tucked inside the gown.
• Check that the gloves are stretched over the gown sleeves correctly.
• Check that the booties are tied properly over your legs.
• Enter the room by pressing the ‘push’ button with your elbow and pushing the door open when the green light is on / shown GO indicator.
• Enter the sterility Testing area by using your elbows to open the door.
• Disinfect your hands with 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or the specified disinfectant before starting the sterility test.
• Use your elbow to ‘Autoclave unloading area’ for unloading media from the autoclave and accessing the pass box for accessories and samples.
• After completing the sterility test, exit Room by pressing the ‘push’ button and pulling the door open when the green light is on / shown GO indicator.
• Exit into the airlock Room by pressing the ‘push’ button and pulling the door open when the green light is on / shown GO indicator.
• Remove gloves and discard them in the waste bin. Remove goggles and place them in the used goggle bin.
• Remove the hood, gown, and booties, and place them in the used dress bin for washing.
• Enter into Exit Room by pressing the ‘push’ button and pulling the door open when the green light is on / shown GO indicator.
• In Change room, remove the primary gowning apparel and place it in the used dress bin for washing. Remove shoe covers and discard them in the waste bin.
• Wear your street clothes, cap, and lab apron, and exit by pressing the ‘push’ button and pulling the door open when the green light is on / shown GO indicator.
• Visitors are allowed inside the controlled area only when assisted by trained and authorized personnel.