You must be already aware how the blood can carry various dangerous diseases which can potentially pass on to another person when coming in contact with the skin. In addition there are several other bodily fluids too that can carry such infection. But it is not always possible to know if the patient has an infection or if the fluids are mixed with blood, thus taking certain precautions at all times becomes a must. Universal precautions require all health care staff to wear a host of protective gear to avoid getting infected.

Following are 4 areas within a health care facility where universal precautions must be applied.

– Laboratory Safety: A medical laboratory contains an array of equipments and dangerous chemicals, add to this hundreds of blood and tissue samples, many of which may be infected. Considering the possible risks in such a set up the laboratory staff must wear gloves, coats and goggles at all times. Face shields or other gear must be worn depending on the level of hazard. Use of appropriate footwear and foot covers may also be recommended to avoid injury from broken glass which may be contaminated by the fluids. Using such personal equipment not only prevents any contact with the skin but is also useful against chemical spills and fumes.

– Handling Linen: Linen in a hospital can be a ‘hotbed’ for infection and must be handled with due care. The concerned staff must always wear gloves and face masks for safety. The used linen must be immediately put in specially designated bags and any linen that has traces of fluid must be carefully rolled in a way that the stains are on the inside. Also ensure minimal movement or shaking of such linen to avoid the spread of dangerous organisms. Furthermore make sure that you change your gloves between handling soiled and clean linen to prevent contamination of the latter.

– Housekeeping: Housekeeping acquires a different meaning in a health care facility where the cleaning is not limited to removing dust and debris like in a home or office, but also for decontaminating various surfaces that can have disease-causing micro-organisms. When cleaning the floors and furniture surfaces with suitable detergents and disinfectants, the housekeeping staff must put on suitable gear like gloves, masks and aprons. Additional care must be taken in high risk areas and cleaning must be done in a sedate manner without any agitating actions as it can increase the possibility of spreading infection.

– Managing Fluids: The entire basis of universal precautions revolves around safety from body fluids and utmost caution is required in event of any spills. First make sure that you have a pair of gloves on that are not damaged in any way. Then use a sufficient number of paper towels to soak up the fluids followed by applying the appropriate disinfectant. The towels and gloves must be immediately discarded in properly marked bags. Also remember to wash your hands thoroughly.

Remember that following universal precautions even when not in direct contact with a patient is equally important when working in any part of a health care facility.

For more information, please visit our universal precautions website.

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

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

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: AIDS,HIV,Safety,Universal Precautions