Universal Precautions is a term used in the healthcare industry to define a set of guidelines in place to prevent spread of infections. While it was originally designed for discouraging the spread of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV, it has now expanded to other infectious diseases and common ailments as well. It is designed on the assumption that “all bodies are carriers of bloodborne pathogens”. Bloodborne pathogens are disease causing carriers of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV, infecting healthy persons due to the handling of infected blood and body fluids.

The Universal Precautions basically deals with health, cleanliness, hygiene and protections to prevent the spread of diseases. It is also an excellent framework to keep day cares free of disease. Day care centers being made for children, it is important to keep them clean and hygienic. Read on to find out how Universal Precautions training is a good tool to keep day care centers free from infections.

– Sanitizing: Sanitizing the environment, playing area, toys, diapering beds and other surfaces is extremely important. All surfaces have to be cleaned with fresh bleach solution each day, with 1 tablespoon of bleach per quart of water. Surfaces with blood on them should be cleaned with a stronger dilution.

– Washing: After taking the children to toilet or diapering them, hands have to be washed thoroughly. In case of handling body fluids or blood like bloody noses or vomits or cleaning wounds and scratches, gloves should be worn. The surfaces have to cleaned and disinfected.

– Disposable towels: Diaper tables and wherever possible, disposable covers and sheets must be provided.

– First Aid Training: The people working in the day care centre are required to be trained in providing first aid, with special emphasis on children’s first aid. The day care centre has to be stocked with the necessary supplies all the time.

– Exposure Control Plan: A day care centre can have situations like nose bleeding, vomiting, loose motions and urination. In such events, the exposure control plan has to be in place. The affected areas must be cleaned as per the prescribed format and the area has to be cordoned off. Being a kid’s area, special precautions must be taken to see that they do not touch anything.

– Vaccinations: All staff is required to be vaccinated for Hepatitis B within 10 days of employment. In case of accidental exposure, the effected person has to be vaccinated within 24 hours of the exposure. The kids in the daycare are required to go through their vaccination cycle regularly as prescribed by the Department of Health.

While infants and kids are very susceptible to infections in general, Hepatitis and HIV are deadly. Not just the kids but the day care workers are also required to be ready to handle infections and exposure in day care centers. With the universal precautions in place, not only can the spread of dangerous diseases but simple ailments in kids and babies like common cold can be prevented.

For more information, please visit our universal precautions training website.

For more information, please visit our universal precautions training website http://www.universalprecautions.com/

Author Bio: For more information, please visit our universal precautions training website.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: universal precautions training,bloodborne pathogen training,HIV,Hepatitis C,Hepatitis B,Universal Pr