Universal Precautions Raegan Carter Jones Lillie Burns

What are Universal Precautions? The first principle of Universal Precautions is that you should treat all bodily fluids as if they were infected with a bloodborne disease. Universal Precautions are guidelines to protect people from exposure to HIV and other bloodborne germs.

What are Universal Precautions? Universal Precautions refers to the handling of bodily fluids from all individuals not just precautions recommended for those known to be infected with a bloodborne pathogen.

Universal Precautions Requires the use of protective barriers such as gloves, protective eye wear, gowns and masks. Universal precautions are intended to supplement rather than replace recommendations for routine infection control, such as hand washing and using gloves

Universal Precautions and Communicable Diseases in a school setting POLICIES Universal Precautions and Communicable Diseases in a school setting

BESE Policy The superintendent may excuse a student or staff member for not more than five days when reliable evidence or information from a public health officer or physician confirms him/her of having a communicable disease or infestation that is known to be spread by any form of casual contact and is considered a health threat to the school population.

BESE Policy The student or staff member shall be excluded unless the public health officer approves school attendance or employment or the condition is no longer considered contagious.

BESE Policy When reliable information confirms that a student or staff member is known to have a communicable disease or infection that is known not to be spread by casual contact (i.e., HIV infection, Hepatitis B and other like diseases), the decision as to whether the affected person will remain in the school or employment setting will be addressed on a case-by-case basis by a review panel to ensure due process.

BESE Policy Mandatory screening for communicable diseases that are known to be spread by casual contact is not warranted as a condition for school entry or for employment or continued employment.

BESE Policy Regardless of the disease presence, routine procedures should be used and adequate sanitation facilities will be available for handling blood or bodily fluids within the school setting or on school buses.

BESE Policy School personnel will be trained in the proper procedures for handling blood and bodily fluids, and these procedures will be strictly adhered to by all school personnel.

BESE Policy Any medical information that pertains to students or staff members, proceedings, discussions and documents shall be confidential information.

BESE Policy Before any medical information is shared with anyone in the school setting, a “Need to Know” review shall be made which includes the parent/guardian, student if age 18, and employee or his/her representative unless the information is required to meet the mandates of federal or state law or regulation or BESE policy.

Federal Laws

Disclosure Policy and Guidelines Pupils or staff members are not required to disclose HIV infection status to anyone in the education system. School staff members expose themselves to criminal penalties and/or civil lawsuits if they violate a person’s privacy.

Medical Records Medical records with references to HIV/AIDS should be kept in a separate locked file and not included in the standard health card information. Access to these confidential records is limited to those named in written permission from the person (or parent/guardian) and to the emergency personnel.

Medical Records Information regarding HIV status will not be added to a student’s permanent educational or health records without written consent. Violation of medical privacy is cause for disciplinary action, criminal prosecution, and/or personal liability for a civil suit.

Medical Records No information regarding a person’s HIV status should be divulged to any individual or organization without a court order or the informed, written, signed, and dated consent of the person with HIV infection (or the parent or guardian of legal minor). The written consent must specify the name of the recipient of the information and the purpose for the disclosure.

Employment Rights School districts should not discriminate. Employee can continue to work as long as he/she can perform duties. Reasonable accommodations should be provided.

Components of Universal Precautions Hand Washing Wash your hands and any other contacted skin surfaces thoroughly for 15 to 30 seconds with dispensable soap and warm running water, rinse under running water and thoroughly dry with dispensable paper towels.

Components of Universal Precautions Hand washing is the most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick. Washing your hands washes away germs that you have picked up.

What is the correct way to WASH HANDS? Wet your hands with warm water Apply soap Rub hands together and scrub really well (under nails and between fingers) Scrub for 15 -30 seconds (sing alphabet) Rinse hands of soap Dry hands with clean towel or cloth Turn off faucet with paper towel

Hand Washing If running water is not available, use antiseptic hand cleanser and clean towels or antiseptic towelettes, and use soap and water as soon as possible.

Using Hand Sanitizer Apply a quarter size to palm of hand Be sure to cover nails and between fingers Rub hands together until the cleanser has dried completely

What will happen if I do not properly wash my hands? Bacteria are picked up and stay on your hands. You can pass these germs to other people when you touch them with your hands. These germs can get into your body when you touch your eyes, mouth, and nose.

When Should I Wash my Hands? When they look and feel dirty Before and after food preparation Before eating After using the bathroom After touching pets After playing outside After blowing your nose Between each person or activity

Components of Universal Precautions Clean and Disinfect Surfaces that are contaminated with blood should be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected promptly with a new solution of household bleach (ten parts water to one part bleach). Wear disposable gloves and disposable towels when cleaning and disinfecting.

Components of Universal Precautions Disposal After each use, remove gloves without touching them on the outside and dispose of them in a lined waste container. After removing gloves, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Disposal Properly dispose of contaminated materials and label them as bio-hazardous. Place blood, body fluids, gloves, bloody dressings and other materials soaked with blood into appropriately labeled plastic bags or lined waste containers. Tie up bag and properly dispose.

Activities Spill kits (Cleaning and Disinfecting) Disposal

Questions and Answers