Body Fluid & Sharps

Blood and body fluid spillages should be dealt with immediately or as soon as it is safe to do so. 

• Other persons should be kept away from the spillage until the area has been decontaminated and is dry. 
• Care should be taken if there are sharps present, sharps should first be disposed of appropriately into a sharps container. 
• Spills should be removed before the area is decontaminated. Guidelines on Infection Prevention and Control.
• Adding liquids to spills increases the size of the spill and should be avoided. 
  
• The scientific evidence to support the use of a chlorine releasing agents to inactivate viruses in a blood spillage is inconclusive as its' effectiveness where there is a large bio-burden has not been fully established (CDC, 2003). The evidence supports the need to remove most organic material from a large spill before final disinfection of a surface. 
• Chlorine releasing agents should be used as per manufacturer’s instructions.
• It is recommended that supplies of personal protective equipment, paper towels, cleaning chemicals and waste bags are readily available for spills management. 

Blood Spillage 

1. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. 
2. Sprinkle with a chlorine releasing agent e.g. BioSafe body spill granules and leave for 2-3 minutes according to manufacturers instructions or cover with disposable paper towels.
3. Remove the sodden material and dispose as per waste segregation policy.
4. Clean area with detergent and warm water.
5. Disinfect using a chlorine releasing solution of 1,000ppm or equivalent according to manufacturers’ instructions, rinse and dry. 
6. Dispose of protective clothing as per waste segregation policy.
7. Perform hand hygiene. 

Body fluid spillage e.g. faeces, vomit, urine

1. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. 
2. Cover spillage with disposable paper towels. 
3. Remove sodden material and dispose as per waste segregation policy. 
4. Clean area with detergent and warm water. 
5. Following spillages of faeces or vomit then disinfect using a chlorine releasing solution of 1,000ppm or equivalent according to manufacturers’ instructions, rinse and dry. 
6. Dispose of protective clothing as per waste segregation policy. 
7. Perform hand hygiene. 

Need more help? Whether you are a home user, GP doctor, medical centre, surgery, first responders, fire service, ambulance service, occupational health department or a nursing home, you can give our team a call on 01 5079901 or email sales@hayesfirstaid.com to discuss your needs and get a quote. Irish owned and based, shipping nationwide throughout Ireland.