Download Universal Health Precautions - Satellite Family Child Care

Universal Health Precautions
Prevention of Exposure to Blood and Bodily Fluids
The following precautions are meant to provide simple and effective precautions against the transmission
of disease for all persons potentially exposed to the blood or body fluids in the classroom or on the bus.
The procedures for handling body fluids apply in all situations, regardless of the health status of the
child involved.
Universal Precautions: is the term used to describe the procedure required when there is potential for
exposure to any and all body fluids, secretions, and excretions, except sweat. The practical rule of thumb
is if it is wet and human, use barriers.
The body fluids of all persons should be considered to contain potentially infectious agents. The term
“body fluids” includes: blood, semen, drainage from scrapes, cuts and open lesions, feces, urine, vomitus,
respiratory secretions (e.g. nasal discharge) and saliva. Contact with body fluids presents a risk of
infection.
It must be emphasized that the body fluids with which one may come into contact usually contain many
organisms, some of which may cause disease. Furthermore, individuals who have no symptoms of illness
may carry many infectious agents. These individuals may be at various stages of infections: incubating
disease, mildly infected without symptoms, or chronic carrier of certain infectious agents such as carriers
of hepatitis viruses.
Universal Precautions include the following:
1. Take care to prevent injuries when using or handling sharp objects.
2. Use protective barriers to prevent exposure to blood, bodily fluids, containing visible blood. See
Blood Borne Pathogen Control Plan. Use non-latex gloves.
3. Immediately and thoroughly wash hands and other skin surfaces that are contaminated with blood or
body fluids containing visible blood. See handwashing procedure.
4. Use non-latex gloves for housekeeping chores involving potential contact with blood and for
sanitization.
Waste management - see under Environmental Sanitation (c) Spills and Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure
Plan.