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UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS FOR SCHOOL SETTINGS

Universal precautions refer to the usual and ordinary steps all school staff need to take in order to reduce their risk of infection including HIV and other blood-borne organisms.

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UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS

  • They are universal because they refer to steps that need to be taken in all cases, not only when staff/student is know to be HIV-infected.
  • They are precautions because they require foresight and planning, and should be integrated into existing safety guidelines.

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UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS

  • Under this set of precautions, all blood or body fluids are considered infectious; therefore, each employee who performs any procedure related to blood or other body fluids must adhere to all necessary precautions.

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PROTOCOL FOR HANDLING GENERAL BODY FLUIDS IN A SCHOOL SETTING

  • Latex rubber gloves should be used as a barrier to minimize exposure to blood and body fluids.

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  • Soiled clothes must be bagged to be sent home.

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  • Waste should be placed in a plastic bag for disposal.

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  • Hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and water.

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CLEANING AND DISINFECTING SURFACES

  • A barrier that is durable enough to withstand environmental cleaning and disinfecting (e.g. rubber utility gloves) should be placed between the fluid and the attending person.
  • Use disposable paper towels or other disposable material to remove blood and other body fluids.

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CLEANING AND DISINFECTING SURFACES, CONTINUED

  • Disinfect affected area and cleaning tools with a commercial disinfectant or bleach solution (approximately one-fourth cup household bleach per gallon tap water). Surface should remain wet for several minutes.
  • Secure all waste in a plastic bag for disposal.

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REMOVING GLOVES

  • With right hand, pinch palm of glove on left hand and pull left glove down and off fingers. Form left glove into a ball and hold in fist of right hand.
  • Insert 2 fingers of left ungloved hand under inside rim of right glove on palm side; push glove inside out and down onto fingers and over balled left glove.
  • Grasp gloves, which are now together and inside out, with left hand and remove from right hand.
  • Discard gloves in plastic bag with any used first aid materials and seal bag.
  • Wash hands.

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PROPER HANDWASHING

  • Wet hands with warm, running water.
  • Apply liquid soap and water.
  • Wash hands, using a circular motion.
  • Pay particular attention to fingertips, nails and jewelry.
  • Rinse hands with fingers pointing downward.
  • Dry hands well and use paper towel to turn off water.