Spills of blood and other body fluids should
be cleaned up immediately after the source of the spill has been
cared for. While still wearing gloves, clean up the spill with
paper towels or other absorbent material. Disinfect the area
with the school district’s approved germicide, available from
the warehouse. Wash the area well. Wipe the surface clean and
allow to air dry. To clean up body waste products, such as
vomit or feces, you may want to use the Body Fluid Clean Up Kit
available from the warehouse. These kits contain everything
needed to complete this process (disposable plastic bags, scoop,
absorbing agent, etc.).
DISPOSAL OF WASTE
All waste baskets should be lined with a disposable
waste basket liner that must be removed and replaced daily. All
used contaminated supplies including gloves should be placed in a
plastic bag, which is then sealed. Place this sealed bag into the
lined wastebasket. Wash hands immediately. Do not place sharp
objects such as needles and syringes in the wastebasket. Syringes,
needles and other sharp objects should be placed in a metal or
plastic puncture-proof container, known as a Sharps Box. Sharps
Boxes are available from Risk Management upon written request from
the school principal.
The use of bio-hazardous waste symbols and/or red
bagging for disposal of potentially infectious material should be
standard procedure at all Vocational Centers, Exceptional Student
Education Centers and cluster schools. Contact Risk Management for
implementation of procedures and materials. Employees should also
use hazardous waste symbols and/or red bagging as standard procedure
for disposing of potentially infectious material whenever and
wherever injuries are treated (e.g., coaching or training rooms,
practice and official playing fields or courts).
ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE
Accidental exposure to blood and other body fluids
places the exposed individual at risk of infection. If you think
you may have been exposed to blood or other body fluids, report the
incident immediately or as soon as possible to your supervisor or
principal. The notified supervisor/principal will initiate a
Worker’s Compensation Notice of Injury Form and send copies that day
to the Risk Management Department, according to school board
policy. The supervisor or principal will contact Risk Management
immediately to obtain information regarding emergency treatment.
Risk Management will advise the principal/supervisor and/or employee
which medical facility will provide the required services. The
physician at the medical facility will determine which treatment
option is most suited to the employee.
The most important thing to remember in preventing
exposure to and transmission of any infection, is anticipating
potential contact with infectious materials in routine, as well as
emergency situations. Each individual should be prepared to take
appropriate precautions prior to providing care. Using common sense
will enhance protection of both the caregiver and the student.
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