Blood and body fluids can be the most potent if they are infected with pathogens and microbes. They are capable of transmitting deadly bloodborne pathogens which can cause Hepatitis B, Hepatitis and HIV AIDS. Because in hospitals and other health care settings, the staff has to deal with human body fluids without knowing if they are infected, the Centre for Communicable Diseases (CDC) has come up with a set of guidelines. These guidelines known as Universal Precautions have to be practiced by all in health care facilities.

Universal precautions operate on the assumption that “all body fluids contain bloodborne pathogens”. This assumption makes it mandatory for all body fluids to be handled with care. Listed below are 4 areas in a health care facility or hospital where the practice of universal precautions is mandatory.

– Laboratories: Laboratories in hospitals are where all the samples from the sick and the healthy come for testing. In short, all the possible infections can be found in the laboratory. This means that the workers in the laboratories are a major risk if they do not take proper care in their work tasks. Due to such work-related risks, they have to wear appropriate gear all the time. Latex gloves, coats, eye shields and protective footwear are mandatory. The gear should not be damaged in anyway. Not only should they take care while handling the fluids, but also be careful of the fumes, spills and reactions. After each handling of the samples, hands should be washed with disinfectant and warm water. Infected and used apparatus must be disposed off or sterilized as per the requirement.

– Linen : Used linen can carry a lot of infections. These materials have to be removed and disinfected after use. The staff members who handle linen, removal and laundry must wear the appropriate gloves and face masks. The designated laundry bags, made of thick material must be used.

The person changing the bed sheets and linen must switch to clean gloves before handling the clean linen. The cleaning area for the linen must be segregated from the main part of the hospital and effective disinfectants and hot water have to be used.

– Housekeeping: The housekeeping staff needs to decontaminate and sterilize the room. They need to wear masks and gloves before working. The right detergent or disinfectant has to be used. The cleaner must try and not move the things around too much as it may trigger motion of the pathogens.

– Garbage disposal: Sharp objects like needles and razors are to be disposed off in special bins. Bio hazardous waste, as it is called, has to be handled with care. The janitorial staff must wear gloves, masks and aprons before working with the garbage. The garbage bins must be labeled and the sharp objects must be disposed off in a strong casing so that the handler does not get injured.

With good care being taken diligently by the support staff, the medical facility can be maintained and good standards of hygiene can be maintained. It is the duty of not just the doctors and the nurses but all of the staff to make sure they are keeping the place and themselves free from infections.

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: Advice
Keywords: Universal Precautions ,Infectious diseases ,Universal Precautions Training,Hepatitis B,Hepatitis C,H