Exposure and Laboratory Acquired Infection Protocols

The Office of Research Compliance (ORC) has identified a list of biological agents approved for use within the Boston University/Boston Medical Center research community that have the potential to cause laboratory acquired infection (LAI). While LAI is a rare event, the research community continues to take proactive measures to further mitigate risk to researchers, safety personnel and medical providers.

ROHP is also working together with representatives of BMC’s Emergency and Infectious Disease departments to prepare agent specific protocols that provide instructions for medical and research personnel to follow in the event of an exposure or Laboratory Acquired Infection (LAI) incident. Separate treatment algorithms for laboratory exposures and post-exposure illnesses will be prepared for each agent for medical personnel to follow in the event of an incident.

The algorithms are accompanied by other agent specific medical and safety information that encompasses transmission, symptoms, safety precautions, immediate first aid, emergency medical contact information, diagnosis and laboratory testing, vaccinations, and post-exposure prophylaxis and treatment.

These protocols will be available on the ROHP website in the near future. These agent specific protocols will also be reviewed with and issued to each PI and researcher by ROHP as part of the medical clearance process prior to IBC protocol approval.