Administrative Regulation
AR4119.43
Certificated 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. (Title 8, Section 5193)
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:
a.
Immediately after any accidental contact with blood, body fluids, drainage from
wounds, or with soiled garments, objects or surfaces.
b.
Immediately after removing gloves, gowns or smocks.
c.
Before eating, drinking or feeding.
d.
Before handling food, cleaning utensils or kitchen equipment.
e.
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 (10 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.
a. Place blood, body fluids, gloves, bloody dressings and
other absorbent materials into appropriately labeled plastic bags or lined
waste containers
b. Place
needles, syringes and other sharp disposable objects in leak-proof,
puncture-proof containers.
c. Bag soiled towels and other laundry. Presoak with
disinfectant and launder with soap and water.
d. 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.
Adopted:
Revised:
Related Policies & Exhibits:
BP
4119.43 Universal Precautions