One aim of the universal precautions is to reduce the level of contact staff have with blood and body fluids. Body fluids refer to urine, faeces, vomit, saliva, vaginal secretions, amniotic fluid, breast milk, semen, and peritoneal, cerebrospinal and synovial fluid.
We can reduce the level of contact with these fluids by the use of::
• Gloves – staff should always wear gloves when the risk of coming into contact with a client’s blood or body fluids is high. The make of gloves available in the clinical setting tends to vary as suppliers compete for business. The range, however, usually includes plastic/latex gloves that have been powdered, and powder-free gloves. Some may be sterile whilst others are considered socially clean. The activity to be undertaken should dictate whether or not gloves are necessary; in other words, what is the risk of coming into contact with blood and/or body fluid? It is the responsibility of the individual to assess the risks involved and, if deemed necessary, to select the most appropriate gloves. However, sterile gloves should always be worn for any invasive procedures, to reduce the risk of cross-infection.
Remember: hands are not clean merely because gloves are worn. Regular effective handwashing is still essential before and after using gloves.
• Aprons – disposable plastic or water-repellent aprons must be worn when at risk of contamination by blood or body fluids. It is also recommended that staff use aprons to minimize cross-infection when performing routine tasks such as bed making. Aprons are usually colour coded within hospital settings, white aprons being used for most day-to-day clinical activities and yellow or green aprons used when handling food. It is important that you familiarize yourself with local policy.
• Masks – facemasks should be worn if there is a risk of splashes of blood or body fluids to the face. Special respiratory masks are sometimes used when caring for specific client groups, for example clients with TB or where clients are immunosuppressed.
• Eye protection – should be used when there is a risk of body fluids or blood splashing into the eyes as might occur during childbirth, paracentesis or obtaining cerebrospinal fluid for example.
Should an accident occur involving the eyes or mouth the procedure outlined below should be adhered to strictly.
|
Procedure
|
Rationale
|
|
Eyes
Irrigate with copious amounts of water or 0.9 per cent sodium
chloride for at least five minutes
|
To clean the eye and remove remaining contaminated fluid
|
|
Inform Occupational
Health immediately
|
To report incident, for health check and further advice.
Post-exposure prophylaxis may be required
|
|
Eyes (continued)
Inform your line manager and complete appropriate documentation
|
To ensure that the injury is reported and facilitate
further risk assessment by your ward manager and those charged with the responsibility
for risk assessment and
management. Fully documenting the incident also provides
evidence should there be any future investigation into the incident
|
|
Mouth
Rinse the mouth thoroughly with water
or 0.9 per cent normal saline for at least
five minutes but do not swallow
|
To remove remaining contaminated fluid and prevent
ingestion of contaminated fluid
|
|
Inform Occupational
Health immediately
|
To report incident, undergo health check
and obtain further advice
|
|
Inform line manager
and complete appropriate
documentation
|
To ensure that the injury is reported and
facilitate further risk assessment by your
ward manager and those charged with the
responsibility for risk assessment and management. Fully documenting the incident
also provides evidence should there be any
future investigation into the incident
|
Further information can be obtained from the local occupational health service.
Spillages of blood or body fluids must be cleaned up promptly. The procedure outlined below should be adhered to strictly.
|
Procedure
|
Rationale
|
|
Place wet-floor
warning sign over area
|
To reduce risk of accidental slippage on wet floor
|
|
Wear disposable
gloves and apron
|
To protect against contamination and reduce the risk of
cross-infection
|
|
Absorb liquid using
paper towels, and dispose into yellow clinical waste bag at site
|
To remove excess and limit spread of contaminated
fluid to one area
|
|
Mop floor using hot
soapy water and designated mop
|
To remove all contaminated liquid and prevent
cross-infection
|
|
Rinse out the mop
and send mop head to laundry for cleaning as per local policy
|
To decontaminate
|
|
In the case of blood spillages only Apply 1% sodium hypochlorite solution or
sprinkle with disinfectant granules
and leave for several minutes before following the above
procedure
|
Recommended cleaning agent for blood
spillages; needs to be left to absorb fluid
|
0 comments:
Post a Comment