2.3 Blood and Bodily Fluids

The major part of the text of this chapter comes from HIV/AIDS/Blood and Bodily Fluids Procedure.

1. General Measures

Cuts or abrasions that break the skin should be covered with a waterproof dressing;
Hands should always be washed thoroughly before and after carrying out any First Aid Procedure;
Hands should always be washed thoroughly before and after coming into contact with any blood or other body fluid including semen, faeces, urine, vomit or sweat as they could be infective;
Whilst there is no evidence that the virus can be transferred by normal mouth to mouth resuscitation, staff should, if time allows, use a sterile mouth piece when giving resuscitation, particularly if there is any evidence of blood;
Where possible, staff should use disposable gloves when carrying out First Aid procedures;
After using gloves they should be washed thoroughly before removal, then disposed of, then hands should be washed thoroughly.

Use disposable gloves where possible;
Wash the wound immediately, squeezing to encourage bleeding and using plenty of soap and water, when apply a suitable dressing if required;
Seek medical advice as soon as possible;
If blood is splashed on to the skin it should be washed off immediately using soap and water;
Splashes of blood to the eyes or mouth should be washed out immediately with clean cold tap water;
Where surfaces/furniture come into contact with blood wash them thoroughly using diluted household beach, 1 part bleach to 10 parts of cold water, as soon as possible.
If broken glass is involved use two pieces of rigid cardboard and place pieces firstly into a cardboard container and then in a plastic bag. Ensure that it would be impossible for someone handling the bag to come in contact with either glass or fluids. If a dustpan is used to clean up glass, it should be cleaned appropriately afterwards.

Normal cleaning methods are appropriate with no requirement to use special disinfectants;
Any spillage of blood, vomit or other body fluids should be cleaned up as soon as possible using diluted household bleach, 1 part bleach to 10 parts of cold water.
If possible, wear disposable clothes;
Clothing or linen affected should be washed, rinsed, and then washed again on a hot wash cycle (approx. 80C). This should be done promptly before fluids have time to dry. Blood stained items must be washed first on a cold water cycle.
Crockery can be washed in the normal way using hot soapy water.

Small surface spills (less than 30ml) on impermeable non-metallic surfaces
1. Soak with dilute bleach solution.
2. Wipe up with disposable paper wipes
3. Clean surface with hot soapy water and dry.
4. Dispose of all materials including gloves and apron as infected waste in plastic bag.
Large volume spills (more than 30ml)
1. Cover and absorb the spill with paper wipes that should be placed straight into a plastic bag.
2. When most of the liquid has been cleared up, disinfect the area with a dilute bleach solution,
3. Absorb with paper towels, and then wash surface with hot soapy water and dry.
4. Dispose of all materials as above.
Carpets, wooden or soft furnishings
1. Clean with hot soapy water and rinse well avoiding excessive wetting.
2. In some circumstances steam cleaning may be appropriate.
Metallic surfaces
1. Absorb spill with paper towels as above.
2. Clean with hot soapy water.
3. In addition, the surface may be wiped with dilute bleach solution, providing this is rinsed off afterwards.

Absorb with paper towels.
Clean surface with hot soapy water.
Dilute bleach solution may then be used, if the spill is likely to be contaminated

N.B. Do not use dilute bleach solution directly on the spillage.

Clean with hot soapy water and then clean area with dilute bleach solution. Dry.

Disposable items can be flushed in the toilet or burnt;
If this is not possible, items should be 'double bagged' in plastic bags and secured, and then arrangements should be made with the local authority for collection.

End