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Publisher: Peytchinski Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 1312-773X (Online)
Issue: 2026, vol. 32, issue2
Subject Area: Public Health
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DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2026322.6822
Published online: 21 April 2026
Original article
J of IMAB. 2026 Apr-Jun;32(2):6822-6828
OBSERVATION AND EVALUATION OF PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOUR AMONG MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIANS
Velina Stoeva1
, Rumyana Stoyanova2, Gergana Petrova3,
1) Department of Epidemiology and MBS, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
2) Department of Health Management and Health Economics, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
3) Department of Nursing Care, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
ABSTRACT:
The medical profession is dedicated to caring for the health of patients, however, it is of paramount importance to prioritise their health. Medical laboratory technicians are emerging as one of the most high-risk professional groups. The aim of this study is to assess the professional competence regarding the standards for the prevention of blood-borne infections and the formed professional behaviour.
Methods: An anonymous internal surveillance was conducted on certain aspects of the behaviour of medical laboratory technicians associated with the provision of infection prevention in medical care.
Results: Among the studied, all 68 people were women, and the average number of work experience years is 20.13 ± 7.732 years.PPE is removed and disposed of according to the protocol by 61.8% (n=42), but 38.2% (n=26) do not follow the protocol. After completion of work, hands are washed with soap and water and disinfected by 51.5% (n=35), but 48.5% (n=35) do not. Surfaces are cleaned and disinfected by 58.8% (n=40), but 41.2% (n=40) make mistakes or omissions in cleaning and disinfection.
Conclusion: The introduction of regular inspections, observations, and feedback can significantly increase compliance with standards for the prevention of HAI infections. Compliance with safety measures by senior laboratory technicians, etc., has an impact on the behaviour of other team members.
Keywords: medical laboratory technicians, prevention of HAI, disinfection,
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Please cite this article as: Stoeva V, Stoyanova R, Petrova G. Observation and Evaluation of Professional Behaviour Among Medical Laboratory Technicians. J of IMAB. 2026 Apr-Jun;32(2):6822-6828. [Crossref - 10.5272/jimab.2026322.6822]
Correspondence to: Dr Velina Stoeva, Department of Epidemiology and MBS, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University, Plovdiv; 15A, Vasil Aprilov Blvd., Plovdiv, Bulgaria; E-mail: velina.stoeva @mu-plovdiv.bg
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Received: 13 September 2025
Published online: 21 April 2026