Emergency Preparedness

Kern Medical Bioterrorism Response Guide Section 2-C-1 – Smallpox

Blood Specimens

? Draw 10 cc of blood into a labeled, plastic marble-topped tube or aplastic yellow- topped serum separator tube. ? Allow blood to clot then separate serum from the clot. ? Remove serum from collection tube and pour into a plastic, clean, screw-topped vial. ? If a plastic serum separator tube is used, serum may be left in the tube. ? If plastic tubes are not available draw the blood into a glass marble-toppedor yellow topped serum separator tube. Place glass tubes into a styrofoam container for transportation to the clinical laboratory. ? Biopsy specimens placed in formalin should not be frozen prior to transportation. Autopsy Specimens Hospital pathologists should not perform autopsies on any suspected or confirmed smallpox patient unless specifically authorized to do so by the local health officer. The CDC-NCID Division of Healthcare Quality (404.639.6413) or Pathology Activity (404.639.3133) should be contacted for special instructions prior to performing any autopsy procedures. Autopsy specimens for viral isolation should be frozen (shipped with dry ice). Formalin-fixed tissue for histopathology, immunohistochemistry and PCR should not be frozen and should be packaged separately from other autopsy specimens. After specimen collection, all non-disposable equipment and instruments used during the procedure should be placed in a disinfecting solution before cleaning and sterilizing. Disposable equipment should be used, if available. The autopsy suite should be cleaned and disinfected with an EPA-registered disinfectant. All disposable sharps should be placed in an appropriate disposal container and all other disposable waste should be placed in double red, biohazard waste bags. Labeling Label specimen containers with the patient’s name, medical record number, social security number, facility name, date and time the specimens were collected, physician’s name and telephone number.

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