Dealing with blood and other body fluids

Guidelines

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Rationale

A number of blood-borne infectious diseases can be transmitted during body contact and collision sports. The more serious of these include Hepatitis B and C and HIV/AIDS. These diseases may be spread by contact between broken skin or mucous membrane and infected blood, saliva (not for HIV) and seminal and vaginal fluids. There is no evidence that sweat, urine and tears will transmit Hepatitis B or HIV.

Standard precautions

These include good hygiene practices, particularly hand washing which is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection, and the covering of all breaks in the skin with dressings.

Sharing of towels, shaving razors, face washers, mouth guards and drink containers must not occur.

Contact with blood or body fluids

All blood and body fluids, including vomit should be presumed to be contaminated therefore standard precautions should always be taken.

If blood or body fluids spill on to another student or staff member the following precautions should be taken:

  • If contact made with the mouth or eyes rinse very well with water immediately.
  • If contact made with a wound or broken skin wash the area with soap and water immediately.
  • Contact Health Centre staff for help or support and/or to report the incident/accident.

Management procedure

  • Quickly assess the situation using DRSABCD.
  • Reassure student/staff member.
  • Put on protective gloves (available in all first aid kits and in blood and body fluid spill kits). If gloves are not immediately available, the injured person should, if possible, be encouraged to apply pressure to the site of bleeding.
  • Send/take student/staff member to the Health Centre or, if off campus, refer to the designated first aid person, or nearest Medical facility if necessary. If in doubt, call an ambulance 000

Locations of blood and body fluid spill kits

  • Physical Education Department
  • Marshall’s Office
  • Senior Staff Workroom
  • Preparatory School Reception
  • Walters Boarding Precinct (Housemother’s Office)
  • Knutsford Boarding Precinct (Housemother’s Office)
  • Mt. Claremont Pavilion (kitchen)
  • St John’s Wood playing fields (first aid room)
  • Health Centre
  • Senior School Library (circulation desk)
  • Design & Technology Office
  • Visual Arts Office
  • Drama Office

Cleaning procedure

For incidents during school hours and at the School’s Claremont campus, immediately notify Facilities Management on Extension 732. Facilities Management will organise for the School’s cleaners to attend and conduct the cleaning process.

For incidents outside of school hours or on the School’s other campuses:

Locate and open ‘Blood & Body Fluid’ spill kit.

  1. Use protective gloves and remove body fluids with paper towels.
  2. Dispose of paper towel into double rubbish bag or bio-hazard bag.
  3. Spray contaminated area with Viraclean disinfectant provided in the spill kit.
  4. Place any contaminated clothing in a plastic bag, seal and send home for washing.
  5. Place all waste in plastic bags, seal and place in rubbish bin.
  6. Remove gloves and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  7. Inform Facilities Management on the next working day (only for Claremont campus) and request the cleaning supervisor to assist with completing the cleaning process.
  8. Submit an ERM request to the Services Department to replenish spill kit stock (eg gloves, paper towels, bags and Viraclean disinfectant).