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Infectious Disease Control Procedures

INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONTROL PROCEDURES

The following infectious disease control procedures are outlined for your health and safety:

    1. STANDARD PRECAUTIONS

      The key to infection control in the workplace is following standard precautions at all times, at all sites, and in all work areas. Every member of Questar III should therefore take care routinely to use the practices and procedures that are set forth here.

      1. Treat all blood and body fluids as if they are contaminated.
      2. Use barrier protection at all times.
      3. Wear gloves when handling blood and body fluids.
      4. Wash hands with soap and warm water after removing gloves, if hands have been accidentally contaminated, and upon leaving the workstation.
      5. Avoid accidental injuries by planning the procedures that will be followed in accomplishing the task before the task is begun.
      6. Use only rigid needle containers for sharps disposal.
      7. Do not break needles. Do not resheathe, bend, or break needles. If sharps must be reprocessed, do so carefully.
      8. Do not use mouth-to-mouth contact in resuscitation efforts. Use a barrier.
      9. Decontaminate all surfaces and devices after use and before servicing.
    2. STANDARD CLEANSING METHODS FOR EXPOSURE TO BODY FLUIDS

Precautionary measures need to be taken whenever someone is exposed to another person's body fluids. Cleaning of blood is of particular concern, but precautions need to be taken for all body fluids.

In this discussion, the following definitions will be used:

  • Body fluids: saliva, tears, urine, feces, blood
  • Clorox solution: 90% water, 10% Clorox, mixed fresh daily
  • Regulated waste: any material soaked with blood or other potentially infectious material, or that, if squeezed, will release blood or other potentially infectious material.

The following procedures are to be followed whenever someone is exposed to another person's body fluids:

      1. Latex gloves shall be worn whenever assisting a person who is bleeding or who has a toileting problem. Body excretion shall be disposed of in a plastic-lined container (plastic bag). The individual involved must wash her/his hands with soap and warm water immediately following the procedure. If this occurs in an area without a sink (e.g., a bus or playground), use moist towelettes and gloves immediately, and wash hands as soon as possible.
      2. Wear latex gloves whenever cleaning another person's body fluids. A solution of 90% water and 10% household bleach (e.g., Clorox), or other approved disinfectants, should be poured on the bodily fluid or substance. Note: The Clorox solution needs to be made fresh daily, and care must be taken not to splash the solution. Allow it to sit for at least one minute before use. Carefully sponge or mop the area afterward. If bleach will damage the surface, use an approved disinfectant instead. Do not dispose of waste in the sewer; regulated waste must go in red bags and/or sharps containers.
      3. Always use latex gloves and Clorox solution or an approved disinfectant when cleaning toilet facilities. Follow by washing your hands with soap and warm water. All waste baskets and receptacles should be lined with plastic bags.
      4. If an employee has an exposure incident, they should report it immediately to the Questar III School Nurse/Teacher Practitioner or the Questar III Risk Management Office. (For "exposure incident," see section III below.)

EXPOSURE INCIDENT REPORTS

  1. Incident of Exposure to Body Fluids. An exposure incident is contact with blood or other potentially infectious fluids, especially if contact occurs through puncture (e.g., a used needle) or through broken skin or mucous membranes.
  2. Exposure Incident Procedures. When an exposure incident occurs, follow these steps:
    1. Wash the affected area immediately with soap and warm water.
    2. Report the incident at once to the Questar III School Nurse/Teacher Practitioner or the Questar III Risk Management Office. Also, refer to the "Injuries/Accidents in the Workplace" section in this handbook.

Upon receipt of an exposure incident report, Questar III will arrange a confidential, free medical examination for the affected individual.

      1. Exposure Incident Report Form. An Exposure Incident Report form is included in this handbook. Complete the form as soon as possible after an incident and fax it to the Questar III School Nurse/Teacher Practitioner or the Questar III Risk Management Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE ISSUES IN THIS SECTION, refer to the Questar III Exposure Control Plan, available through the Health & Safety Office.