What should a phlebotomist do if a specimen collection tube breaks inside an unbalanced centrifuge?

When a specimen collection tube breaks inside a centrifuge, the most appropriate action is to disinfect the equipment. This is crucial because broken tubes can result in exposure to contaminated blood or other biohazardous materials, creating a contamination risk for anyone in the vicinity. Disinfecting ensures that any potentially infectious materials are properly managed and that the environment is safe for subsequent use.

It is also important to note that while reporting the incident to a supervisor is a necessary step, immediate disinfection of the centrifuge takes precedence to contain any potential biohazard risk swiftly. Similarly, doing nothing and continuing to work ignores the health and safety protocols essential in laboratory settings. Removing the broken tube immediately could further spread contaminants and pose a serious risk. Therefore, the initial focus should be on disinfecting to maintain a safe working environment.