Faeces, urine, vomit and/or blood | Right Decisions

Right Decisions
Preventing infection in social care settings
Back
Potential infection risks
Faeces, urine, vomit and/or blood

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Potential infection risk guideline

You may come into contact with blood and/or body fluids during routine care, and these should all be considered potentially infectious. Viruses/bacteria (germs/bugs) in saliva, urine, faeces, or blood can be passed to another person via cuts or abrasions, or through the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes. Not all contact will become a spillage, but in the case of unexpected spills see the page on management of blood and body fluid spillages for more detailed information.

By following these Standard Infection Control Precautions you can minimise infection risks to yourself and others.

Scenario: Mr. Russell has a long-term urinary catheter in situ. During the process of emptying his catheter bag, there is some splashing of the contents onto yourself and the floor.

What Standard Infection Control Precautions should I use?

For detailed instruction on how to apply these Standard Infection Control Precautions, please see the links below.

Do this

Personal protective equipment

Safe management of blood and body fluid spillages

Safe disposal of waste (including sharps)

Consider this

Occupational safety: prevention and exposure management (including sharps)

Safe management of care environment

Safe management of linen

Safe management of care equipment

Other factors

Resident/person placement

Respiratory and cough hygiene