Preventing infection in social care settings
- Ensure all cuts and grazes are covered.
- Put on PPE, i.e., non-sterile disposable gloves and apron.
- Apply chlorine releasing granules.
- If granules are not available, follow local policy and place paper towels over the spillage to absorb and contain it, apply a solution of 10,000 parts per million (ppm) available chlorine releasing agent to the paper towels.
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions on contact time or leave for 3 minutes.
- Discard waste into healthcare waste bag or disposable, leak-proof plastic bag.
- Wash area with solution of general purpose neutral detergent.
- Dry area with paper towels/kitchen roll.
- Discard paper towels/kitchen roll and PPE in appropriate waste bag.
- Carry out hand hygiene.
Safe management of blood and body fluid spillages
Spillages of blood and other body fluids are hazardous and must be dealt with as soon as possible. Spillages must be cleaned immediately by staff trained to undertake this safely. Responsibilities for the cleaning of blood and body fluid spillages should be clear within each area/care setting. There are different products available for cleaning up after blood and body fluid spillages.
There are two procedures for dealing with a blood or body fluid spillage with visible blood (not urine); one is with chlorine releasing granules/agent and the second is if you do not have chlorine releasing products available. You must follow your local policy.
NOTE: If no paper towel/kitchen roll is available a disposable cloth must be used.
Remember:
- Deal with spillages immediately.
- Use PPE, i.e., disposable gloves and apron.
- Follow product/manufacturer’s instructions on disinfectant and detergent solutions.
- Do not use chlorine-releasing disinfectants on urine spillages or soft furnishings.
- Perform hand hygiene on removal of all PPE.
- Ensure all cuts and grazes are covered.
- Put on PPE, i.e., non-sterile disposable gloves and apron.
- Prepare a solution to clean the spillage as per local policy and ensure you follow the product/ manufacturers’ instructions.
- Place paper towels/kitchen roll over the spillage and apply the disinfectant solution to the paper towels/kitchen roll.
- Allow the disinfectant solution, paper towels/ kitchen roll to soak up the spillage.
- Scoop up the paper towels/kitchen roll and place into a disposable, leak-proof plastic bag.
- Wipe up any disinfectant solution left after clearing the spillage.
- Using paper towels/kitchen roll soaked in general purpose neutral detergent solution, wipe down the spill area.
- Wipe the area dry with paper towels/kitchen roll.
- Ventilate the room if possible and keep any pets away until the area is clear.
- Do not use chlorine-releasing agent or chlorine-based disinfectants, e.g., household bleach, directly on to a urine spillage.
- Ensure all cuts and grazes are covered.
- Put on PPE, i.e., non-sterile disposable gloves and apron.
- Soak up urine and/or remove any gross soiling with paper towels/kitchen roll.
- If urine spillage, a gelling agent can be used if available.
- Clean the area with a solution of 1,000 parts per million (ppm) available chlorine or combined detergent/chlorine releasing
solution with a concentration of 1,000 ppm, or disinfectant as per local policy. - Follow manufacturer’s instruction on contact time.
- Wash area with solution of general-purpose neutral detergent and warm water and paper towels/kitchen roll.
- Dry area with paper towels/kitchen roll.
- Discard paper/kitchen roll into a disposable, leak-proof plastic bag.
- Perform hand hygiene on removal of PPE.