All Personnel

UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS
                                                   

"Universal Precautions" is an approach to infection control.  According to the concept of universal precautions, all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for HIV, HBV and other bloodborne pathogens.  (29 CFR 1910.1030 (b))

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be found in blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk.  Other body fluids such as feces, urine, vomit, nasal secretions, sputum, and saliva may contain infectious germs that cause other diseases.  It is not always possible to know when blood or body fluids are infectious; therefore, all body fluids shall be handled as if infectious.

All students and staff shall routinely observe the following universal precautions for the prevention of infectious disease:

1. Wear disposable waterproof gloves whenever you expect to come into direct hand contact with blood, other body fluids, or contaminated items or surfaces.  This applies to incidents including, but not limited to, caring for nosebleeds or cuts, cleaning up spills, or handling clothes soiled by blood or body fluids.  Do not reuse gloves.  After each use, remove the gloves without touching them outside and dispose of them in a lined waste container.  Gowns or smocks should also be worn if you anticipate soiling of clothes by body fluids or secretions.
   
   
2. Wash your hands and any other contacted skin surfaces thoroughly for 15 to 30 seconds with dispensable soap and warm running water, rinse under running water, and thoroughly dry with disposable paper towels:
   
   
   1. Immediately after any accidental contact with blood, body fluids, drainage from wounds, or with soiled garments, objects or surfaces.
      
      
   2. Immediately after removing gloves, gowns or smocks.
      
      
   3. Before eating, drinking or feeding.
      
      
   4. Before handling food, cleaning utensils or kitchen equipment.
      
      
   5. Before and after using the toilet or diapering.
      
      When running water is not available, use antiseptic hand cleanser and clean towels or antiseptic towelettes, and use soap and running water as soon as feasible.
      
      
3. Clean surfaces and equipment contaminated with blood with soap and water and disinfect them promptly with a fresh solution of bleach (ten parts water to one part bleach) or other disinfectant.  While cleaning, wear disposable gloves and use disposable towels whenever possible.  Rinse mops or other nondisposable items in the disinfectant.
   
   
4. Properly dispose of contaminated materials and label them as biohazardous.
   
   
   1. Place blood, body fluids, gloves, bloody dressings and other absorbent materials into appropriately labeled plastic bags or lined waste containers.
      
      
   2. Place needles, syringes and other sharp disposable objects in leak-proof, puncture proof containers.
      
      
   3. Bag soiled towels and other laundry.  Presoak with disinfectant and launder with soap and water.
      
      
   4. Dispose of urine, vomitus or feces in the sanitary sewer system.
      
      
5. Do not care for others' injuries if you have any uncovered bleeding or oozing wounds or nonintact skin conditions.
   
   
6. Use a mouthpiece, resuscitation bag or other ventilation device when readily available in place of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Staff shall immediately report any exposure incident or first-aid incident in accordance with the district's Exposure Control Plan or other procedures.

(cf.  4119.42 - Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens) 

KETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Adoption Date:  10/13/99