Download Universal Precautions - Farmington R-7

Universal Precautions
Universal Precautions describes a very simple concept:
“All human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for the
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and other blood-borne
pathogens.”
There are two blood borne diseases that merit serious concern for everyone with the occupational
exposure to human blood or other potential infectious materials. They are transmitted by two
viruses: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). A number of
other pathogens that may be transmitted through contact with human blood include non-a/non-b
hepatitis, delta hepatitis syphilis, malaria, babesiosis, brucellosis, leptospirosis, arboviral infections,
and cytomegalovirus. By following universal precautions you can minimize or prevent the
transmission of all blood borne diseases.
The following are steps to take to protect you from the risk of infection from contact with human
blood and other potentially infectious materials:
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Wash your hands in warm soapy water for at least one full minute after contact with blood or
other body fluids contaminated with blood.
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Wear disposable gloves when you encounter large amounts of blood, especially if you have open
cuts or chapped hands. Wash your hands as soon as you remove your gloves.
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Cover cuts or scratches with a bandage until healed.
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Use disposable absorbent material like paper towels to stop bleeding.
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Immediately clean up blood-soiled surfaces and disinfect with fresh solution of one part bleach
and nine parts water or call for a custodian.
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Put blood-stained laundry in a sealed plastic bag; machine-wash separately in hot soapy water.
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If a student has a bloody nose, have the child pinch the nose shut on the way into the nurse’s
office so blood is not trailed in the hallway.
Following these simple precautions can help protect you from these devastating diseases. If you
have any questions or need supplies, such as Band-Aids or gloves, see your school nurse.
Communicable Disease—Infection Control Procedures
Universal Precaution for Cleaning up Blood or body Fluids
1. If available, cover fluids with absorbent floor sweep material to keep the fluids from
spreading. When absorbent material is not available contain the spill with paper
towels.
2. Wear rubber, vinyl or latex gloves and clean up spills with disposable towels or
tissues.
3. All surfaces, which have been in contact with the fluids, should be cleaned with soap
and water then with a disinfectant. Any EPA approved disinfectant can be used.
After the disinfectant is applied, the surface should either be allowed to air dry, or
else to remain wet for 10 minutes before being dried with a disposable towel or
tissue.
4. If the gloves worn to clean up the spill are reusable rubber gloves, they should be
washed with soap and running water prior to removal. Disposable gloves should be
removed without soiling the hands and should be disposed of in an impermeable
plastic bag. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after gloves are removed.
5. If the person doing the cleaning has any open skin lesions, precautions should be
taken to avoid direct exposure of the lesions to the body fluids.
6. After exposure to blood/body fluids, good hand washing should consist of thorough
use of soap and water for at least one minute.
7. It is appropriate to keep a clean-up kit on hand for such spills. The clean-up kit
should consist of the following items:
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Absorbent floor sweep material
Liquid soap
Disinfectant
Rubber, vinyl or latex gloves
Disposable towels or tissues
Impermeable plastic bags
All these materials should be kept together, in a central location.