BLOOD BORNE PATHOGEN GUIDELINES

The concern over blood borne pathogens has sparked a renewed interest in infection control. Two specific areas of concern are HBV, the Hepatitis B virus which can lead to Hepatitis B (a liver infection) and HIV, the human immuno-deficiency virus, which leads to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). The nature of our profession and the occasional accidents associated with education, recreation and sports may require close contact with an accident victim’s blood and/or body secretions. Knowing who is an “AIDS case” is irrelevant - anyone can carry the AIDS virus without being aware. The Center for Disease Control estimates that there are 10 cases unreported for each single case reported. Therefore, precautions need to be taken with everyone (men, women and children). The transmission of the AIDS virus by fluids through broken skin dictates that disposable gloves be worn and other precautions taken to prevent skin contact with body fluids. Personnel should be gloved when treating accident victims who are bleeding or have other body fluids apparent. “Universal Precautions”, which prevent the spread of the AIDS virus and other infectious agents, should be followed as well. The guidelines listed below have been developed to protect personnel and injured parties against HBV, HIV and/or other blood borne communicable diseases. These represent prudent practices for all club members to follow.

1. Wear disposable gloves to prevent skin contact with the patient’s blood or body secretions. Fresh wounds are most susceptible to infection through contamination, but all wounds should be protected. Disposable gloves are kept within each first aid kit and with the Building Supervisor at the pool. All Outdoor Clubs are responsible for checking out a First Aid Kit from the Service Center for all practices, games, and other outdoor outings.

The following steps should be used to properly dispose of any utilized gloves, whether or not they appear to be soiled with bodily fluid:

1. Hold your right hand out with your palm facing up.
2. Pinch a portion of the glove that covers the inside of your wrist on your right hand. Use the thumb and index finger of your left hand.
3. Gently pull the glove down about half way over your palm, revealing the inside of the glove. Do not completely remove the glove. Let go of the glove after you pull it down over the palm.
4. Use your right thumb and index finger to repeat these steps on your left hand. This time, you will pinch the outside of glove above the inner portion of your left wrist and completely remove the glove on the left hand. Continue holding the left glove with your right thumb and index finger.
5. Pull up a portion of the right glove with your bare left thumb and index finger. Touch only the inside portion of the glove that has already been revealed.
6. Remove the right glove by pulling down with your left thumb and index finder. As you pull down, the left glove that has already been removed should fold up inside the right hand glove.
7. Dispose of the rubber gloves in a proper container. Gloves that were in contact with certain substances like chemicals and bodily fluids cannot be thrown away in public trash receptacles.

2. Use a pocket mask or other barrier device for ventilatory resuscitation. This reduces the likelihood for exposure to the patient’s secretions and provides better oxygenation to the patient.

3. Minimize your exposure (skin or mucous membranes) to the patient’s blood or other body fluids. Exposed surfaces should be washed with soap and running water as soon as practical. This action will limit the length of out exposure to any potential pathogens.

4. When possible wear eye protection (goggles or glasses) whenever the patient is losing a large amount of blood/secretions to reduce the chances of splashing or splattering. The goggles must be disinfected and cleaned after each use.

Once the care of the victim has been transferred to hospital or other professional personnel, the following prudent practices should be followed:

1. Notify the HPER Building Service Center at extension 575-6382 for assistance in the disposal of the contaminant.

2. All towels, sheets and other items used that may have blood on them should be put in the red biohazard bag.

 3. Bandages and other one-time use items used in the response should be placed in the red biohazard plastic bad and disposed of properly.

4. Clothing which has been contaminated with blood or bodily fluids should be laundered in a 1:10 household bleach solution or equivalent. Do not handle the clothing excessively or sort the clothes.

5. If possible, wash hands BEFORE treating an injured individual. Always wash hands as soon as possible after providing patient care and after handling contaminated materials. This is the most effective means of infection control. Be sure to use lots of soap and running water.

6. Accidental injuries, to include cuts, needle sticks or body fluids splashed into mouth or eyes, which may result in possible exposure to infectious diseases, should be recorded and reported to IMRS staff. Any Club Member exposed to blood/body fluids should seek medical advice and/or treatment immediately.

7. When blood comes in contact with the floor or carpeting, proper measures should be taken to remove it. A 1:10 bleach solution or equivalent should be used on hard surfaces. This 1:10 household bleach (or equivalent) should be left on the contaminated area for five minutes. If the stain or blood is spilled on carpeting the Hazardous Materials Office or campus police should be contacted to identify a proper cleaning agent that will not ruin the carpeting. It is important to keep people clear of that area until the disinfecting has been completed.

These guidelines are intended to provide the best possible infection control for personnel without interfering with the efficient provisions of emergency first aid.

LOCATION OF PROTECTICE EQUIPMENT

Protective glasses are available in the Service Center. Rubber gloves and CPR masks are available at the Service Center, in the first aid kits, emergency phone boxes, security assistant note books, and Fitness Center note book in the HPER building.

The Department of Intramural/Recreational Sports STRONGLY ENCOURAGES each club to verify that at least two of their members are currently certified in CPR/First Aid. These individuals should be at every practice and/or match.