Bodily fluid spills can happen at any time and can contain bacteria or viruses that could spread infection. Having the proper cleanup kit and knowing how to use it is important for health and safety. A cleanup kit contains the tools needed to properly contain, disinfect, and dispose of materials contaminated by bodily fluids. Using the kit properly limits the spread of bacteria and viruses. This article will walk through the key steps for using a bodily fluid cleanup kit.
Assess the Spill
The first step is to assess the spill location and size to determine the scope of cleanup required. Some questions to ask:
– What type of bodily fluid was spilled? This could be blood, vomit, urine, feces, or other bodily fluids. Knowing the type helps determine the right cleanup method.
– What surface(s) were contaminated? The floor, furniture, walls, etc. Different surfaces require different cleaning techniques.
– How large of an area is impacted? A small versus large spill requires different amounts of cleanup supplies.
– Are any surfaces porous? Porous surfaces like carpets, fabrics, and unsealed concrete require more extensive disinfecting.
Select Cleanup Supplies
Once the spill is assessed, the next step is to gather the right cleanup supplies from the bodily fluid cleanup kit, including:
– Personal protective equipment (PPE) – This includes disposable gloves, gowns, masks, shoe covers, and eye protection. PPE limits exposure to contaminated bodily fluids.
– Absorbent materials – These include paper towels, absorbent pads, cat litter, or absorbent powder to soak up the spilled fluids.
– Disinfectant solutions & wipes – An EPA-registered disinfectant that claims to kill bacteria and viruses should be used to sanitize affected surfaces. Common active ingredients include bleach, hydrogen peroxide, quaternary ammonium, or phenolic compounds.
– Biohazard bags – These thick red bags are specially designed to contain contaminated waste.
– Cleaning tools – A mop, scrub brush, disposable rags, and a bucket should be gathered.
– Caution signs – Signs, cones, or barricade tape are needed to block off the impacted area.
Isolate the Contaminated Area
Once PPE is on, the next stage is to isolate and restrict access to the area of the spill. Place caution signs, cones, or barricade tape at least a 10-foot radius around the spill. For large spills, isolate a greater area. This prevents unprotected people from entering and spreading contamination.
Remove Excess Fluid
With the area contained, carefully start removing any excess pooled bodily fluid. For small spills, wipe up fluids with regular absorbent materials like paper towels. For larger spills, liberally sprinkle the entire spill area with absorbent powder or cat litter to start soaking up the fluids. Let this sit for 2-5 minutes. Then, use a plastic scoop or disposable rags to transfer soaked up material into a biohazard bag. Avoid splashes, sprays or generating aerosols during this process. Work slowly from the outside of the spill inward to cover the entire area.
Sanitize Surfaces
After removing the bulk of the fluids, the affected surfaces need to be thoroughly sanitized. Put on a new pair of disposable gloves. Use disposable rags, a mop, or scrub brush to liberally apply your chosen EPA-registered disinfectant onto surfaces following label directions. The disinfectant may require a certain wet contact time or multiple applications for full effectiveness against viruses and bacteria. Target any remaining visible contaminants but also sanitize a radius extending at least 12 inches beyond visible spill areas in case of unseen splatters.
Pay special attention to disinfecting porous surfaces like carpets, upholstered furniture, unsealed concrete, etc., as fluids can penetrate and linger there. You may need to saturate the area, let it soak in for 10+ minutes, reapply more disinfectant, and blot/scrub repeatedly to fully penetrate porous surfaces.
Clean-up & Waste Disposal
Once surfaces are disinfected, the final steps are to clean up and properly dispose of contaminated materials.
– Dispose of used cleaning rags, absorbents, PPE, and other waste in sealed biohazard bags.
– Mop the spill area again with general purpose cleaner and hot water to remove any disinfectant residue.
– Rinse out used cleaning equipment like mops or buckets and disinfect any reusable gear before storage.
– Remove isolation signs or barricades once the area is fully decontaminated.
– Take biohazard bags to a hazardous waste disposal or biohazard pickup service. Do not place in regular trash.
Hand Hygiene
Thorough hand hygiene should be performed immediately after cleanup is complete, even if gloves were worn. The CDC recommends washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If soap is not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. This further reduces the chance of spreading contaminants.
Exposure Incidents
In the event of an exposure incident where someone directly contacts contaminated fluids without PPE, immediate action is required:
– Wash exposure sites with soap and water. Flush mucous membranes like eyes or nose with copious amounts of water.
– Report exposure incidents to supervisors and document details.
– Seek immediate medical evaluation for risk assessment, treatment, and bloodwork if warranted based on fluid type.
– Identify root cause of incident so protocols can be improved to prevent future occurrences.
Conclusion
Bodily fluid spills can happen anytime and preparedness with a cleanup kit is key. Following isolation, PPE, absorbent, disinfecting, and disposal protocols helps contain the spread of bacteria and viruses from contaminated bodily fluids. Quick action also facilitates exposure treatment if incidents occur. Keeping a properly stocked bodily fluid cleanup kit and knowing how to use it ensures health and safety when these spills happen.
| Supplies Needed in Bodily Fluid Cleanup Kit |
|---|
| Disposable gloves |
| Disposable gowns |
| Face masks |
| Eye protection goggles |
| Shoe covers |
| Paper towels |
| Absorbent pads |
| Cat litter or absorbent powder |
| Disinfectant solutions |
| Disinfectant wipes |
| Biohazard bags |
| Mops and buckets |
| Scrub brushes |
| Disposable rags |
| Caution signs/cones |
| Scoops for litter |
Key Bodily Fluid Cleanup Steps
- Assess the spill size and surfaces impacted
- Select appropriate PPE and supplies
- Isolate spill area with barricades
- Use absorbents to contain excess fluids
- Disinfect all affected surfaces
- Double bag waste and contaminated gear
- Remove isolation warnings once cleaned
- Wash hands thoroughly after completing
Having the right supplies and following best practices for isolating, absorbing, disinfecting, and disposing of contaminated materials is crucial for properly and safely cleaning up bodily fluid spills. Keep yourself and others protected by using a bodily fluid cleanup kit.
