Universal Precautions

  1. Purpose: To ensure proper handling and disposal of blood and other body fluids, and/or contaminated material.

  2. Objectives: To prevent the spread of infection by all school staff and students from direct contact with blood/body fluids and/or contaminated material. Appropriate barrier precautions (latex gloves) should routinely be used by all school staff to prevent exposure when contact with blood/body fluids is anticipated.

  3. Routine Specifications:
    1. Gloves: Use when anticipating contact with blood/body fluids, mucus membrane, or non-intact skin. Gloves should be worn when handling items or surfaces soiled with blood/body fluids. Gloves should be changed after contact with contaminated materials.
    2. Hand washing: Should be carried out immediately after gloves are removed. Hands and other skin surfaces should be washed immediately and thoroughly if contaminated with blood/body fluids.
       
  4. Helpful Hints for Staff:
    1. Wear Band-Aids over any cuts on your hands.
    2. Keep lots of tissues in your room (use this as a barrier for a bloody nose until gloves are put on).
    3. Keep a change of appropriate clothes available in the event that your clothes contact contaminated material.