Universal Precautions Policy

Universal precautions, an approach to infection control, is based on the premise that all human blood and certain human body fluids should be handled as if known to be infectious for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and other blood borne pathogens.

HIV and HBV can be found in blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. Other body fluids such as feces, urine, vomitus, nasal secretions, sputum and saliva may contain infectious germs that cause other diseases. Since it is not always possible to know when blood or body fluids are infectious, all fluids should be handled as if infectious. Therefore, students and staff should routinely observe the following universal precautions for the prevention of infectious diseases.

1. Put on disposable waterproof gloves whenever you expect to come in direct hand contact with blood, other body fluids, or items and surfaces contaminated by such. This applies to incidents including, but not limited to, caring for nosebleeds, cuts, cleaning up spills, or handling clothes soiled by blood or body fluids.
2. After use, remove the gloves without touching the outside surface, and dispose of them in a plastic lined waste container. Do not reuse gloves.
3. Wash your hands and other contacted skin surfaces thoroughly for 30 seconds with soap and warm running water, rinse under running water, and thoroughly dry with disposable paper towels using paper towels to turn off faucet at these times:
   1. Immediately after any accidental contact with blood, body fluids, drainage from wounds, or with soiled garments, objects, or surfaces.
   2. Immediately after removing gloves.
   3. Before handling food (eating or food preparation).
   4. After using the toilet.
   5. After coughing, sneezing or using tissues.
4. Clean surfaces and equipment contaminated with blood or body fluids with soap and water and disinfect them promptly with a fresh solution of bleach (nine parts water to one part bleach) or other disinfectant. While cleaning, wear disposable gloves and use disposable towels whenever possible. Rinse mops or other non disposable items in the disinfectant.
5. Place used gloves, bloody dressings, tissues, and other soiled absorbent materials into plastic bags or lined waste containers.
6. Place soiled towels and other laundry in plastic lined recepticle. Presoak with disinfectant and launder with soap and water.
7. Dispose of urine, vomitus or feces in the sanitary sewer system.
8. Do not care for others’ injuries if you have any cuts, abrasions, cracks, or other skin conditions where the skin is not intact. Cover cuts or scratches with a bandage until healed.
9. Use a mouthpiece, resuscitation bag or other ventilation device if possible when performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
10. Immediately report any exposure incident to the school nurse.