The consequences can be very severe when blood cleanup tasks are poorly executed. One of the major reasons for this is the possibility of spilled blood and other bodily fluids containing dangerous pathogens. Prime examples include:
- Viruses – Such as HBV (Hepatitis B Virus), HCV (Hepatitis C Virus), and even HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
- Bacteria – Examples include MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) and Neisseria Meningitidis
- Fungi – Such as Aspergillus Species and Candida Albicans
- Parasites – Such as Toxoplasma Gondii and Plasmodium Species
Non-visible blood traces can even contain these pathogens and a thorough understanding of the principles of epidemiology, especially as it concerns bloodborne transmission, helps in better understanding this. You can see this webpage for more on this subject. In light of the sensitivity of blood cleanup tasks, there are safety precautions and this article discusses two of them.
Essential Safety Measures for Blood Cleanup
Proper blood cleanup is required in the aftermath of a lot of traumatic situations. Crime scenes, medical emergencies, recreational accidents, and workplace accidents are prime examples. Safety is also of the essence while these tasks are being executed and two very important safety measures to be implemented are:
Proper Use of Quality PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
PPE is a necessity for essentially two reasons. The first is for the sake of ensuring personal safety while in the line of duty. The second and equally important is to ensure cross-contamination does not happen. Prime examples of personal protective equipment include:
- Respirators & Face Masks
- Footwear Protection
- Face Shield or Safety Goggles
- Disposable Gloves
- Disposable Aprons or Protective Gowns
The guarantee of personal safety and avoidance of cross-contamination is not only determined by the quality of PPE used. It is also about appropriate use. For example, there is a proper way to avoid cross-contamination while using disposable gloves.
For starters, thorough hand-washing is a necessity. By the way, the use of hand sanitizers is no substitute for thorough hand washing. For more insight on the proper use of gloves, you can check: https://www.cantonhealth.org/.
Furthermore, there is also a proper order in which the PPE should be used. The ideal order is detailed below:
- Thorough Hand-Washing
- Wearing of Gown
- Application of Face Mask
- Use of Eye Protection
- Application of Gloves
Just as with the wearing of PPEs, there is the proper way to remove them. Improper removal increases the likelihood of cross-contamination happening. Having made this clear, the removal is supposed to happen in the reverse of how the PPEs were worn.
Use of the Right Cleaning Agents & Materials
The use of some cleaning agents and materials is expected as is the case with any kind of cleanup task. However, the difference with this kind of cleanup is the kinds of cleaning agents and materials required.
For example, while several kinds of cleanup tasks require the use of disinfectants, some grades are unacceptable for this task. For starters, any disinfectant used has to be medical-grade and also approved for use by the EPA. The use of options that are not EPA-approved is a safety violation.
Another example is with absorbent materials. Any option used has to be medical-grade and not just regular ones. Major reasons for this include:
- Significant Reduction in the Spread of Pathogens – This is mainly because of how they are treated with antimicrobial agents that help with trapping pathogens instead of spreading them. It is quite the opposite with regular options as they often are not treated with antimicrobial agents
- Absorption Capacity – They are designed to take in more volumes of liquid than regular absorbent materials
- Sterility – Prevention of cross-contamination is a lot easier with medical-grade absorbents. Their production under stringent sterile conditions is a major reason for this
- Durability – They are designed to go through a lot without losing their quality. The use of stronger and tear-resistant materials during production is a major reason for this
- Regulatory Compliance – These absorbent materials are produced in adherence to some regulatory guidelines. The EPA and OSHA are prime examples of regulatory bodies that set these guidelines
However, there are more cleaning agents and materials required for effective blood cleanup than disinfectants and absorbent materials as discussed above. Some of the other important agents and materials include:
- Plastic Scrapers/Scoops
- Biohazard Waste Bags
- Biohazard Spill Kits
- Paper Towels
- Sharps Container – The ideal option are puncture-resistant ones
Lots of these cleaning agents and materials have manufacturer’s instructions. These instructions are to be adhered to in the spirit of being cautious. Furthermore, no stone should be left unturned when cleaning contaminated areas. In simpler terms, this means ensuring complete coverage while cleaning.
Wrap Up
Public health and safety are important and should be seen in that light. In the spirit of ensuring Safe blood and decay cleanup solutions which are necessary for public health and safety, some safety precautions need to be taken seriously. Some of them have been discussed here.
Blood cleanup specialists are in the best position to handle these tasks while adhering to these safety precautions. Their expertise and experience puts them in a good position to ensure this. So, make sure to contact them when there is a need for blood cleanup.