Universal Precautions

In the School Setting

What are Universal
Precautions?
Steps everyone needs to take in order to
reduce their risk of infection from:
Blood Borne Pathogens
(Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV)

Infectious Organisms that cause illness




Exposure occurs through contact
with infected body fluids
These Body Fluids Include:
Blood
Vomit
Saliva
Stool (feces)
Urine
Drainage from nose
or sinuses
Drainage from cuts,
scrapes, wounds or
sores
Secretions from
mucous membranes
Sputum (mucus from
lungs)
Vaginal secretions
Semen
Protect Yourself
Universally, treat
every body fluid as
if it were infected.

Precaution Use
foresight and plan
ahead to avoid
exposure
Universal Precaution Steps

Gloves (Personal Protective
Equipment)
Decontamination
Hand Washing
Waste Disposal
Step 1: Gloves...
Always wear gloves when

Direct contact with body fluids is anticipated
(nosebleeds, bleeding abrasions, etc.)

Handling clothes soiled by urine, feces, vomit or blood

Diapering children

Step 1 Gloves
One time use.
If gloves not immediately available, use
barrier such as paper towels.
When removing, peel off hands and roll
glove outside in.
Discard gloves in lined trash container.

Wash hands after removing gloves.

Step 2: Decontamination
Area must be cleaned with bleach solution
(10:1)

Contact custodian for clean-up of blood or body
fluid spills.

Discard gloves and any contaminated materials
in a lined trash container.

Wash Hands.
Step 3:
Handwashing
The MOST IMPORTANT STEP in Preventing
the spread of disease!

Use liquid soap and warm water.

Wash vigorously for 10 15 seconds.

Rinse under warm running water.

Turn off faucet with paper towel.
Step 4: Waste Disposal
Bag and tie
Place in second bag and tie again (double
bag technique)

Place all sharps (used needles) in sharps
container.

Wash hands after removing
gloves.
Biosafety Level 1
Standard Microbiological Practices
2.3
Biosafety Level 1
Standard Microbiological Practices
Restrict or limit
access when working

Prohibit eating,
drinking and smoking in
the laboratory
2.3
Biosafety Level 1
Standard Practices
Wash hands

Minimize splashes and aerosols

Decontaminate work surfaces daily

Decontaminate wastes

Protective clothing: Lab coat, Gloves, Goggles


Biosafety Level 1
Microorganisms that are suitable for work
involving well characterized agents not known
to cause disease in healthy adult humans and
of minimal potential hazard to laboratory
personnel and the environment.

Examples:
1. Bacillus subtilis
2. Naegleria gruberi
3. E. coli
Decontamination
Sterilization
Disinfection
Decontamination
Definition
Sterilization
The use of a physical or chemical procedure
to destroy all microbial life, including large
numbers of highly resistant bacterial
spores.

Disinfection
The use of a physical or chemical procedure
to virtually eliminate all recognized
pathogenic microorganisms but not all
microbial forms (bacterial endospores) on
inanimate objects.

Disinfection
Definition
Decontamination
Methods
Heat
Chemical
Radiation
Types
Moist steam
Dry
Incineration

This is the most effective method of
sterilization


Decontamination
Heat
Types
Liquids, i.e. chlorox,
hydrogen peroxide
Gases, i.e. ethylene
oxide
Decontamination
Chemical
General Lab Use - Hypochlorite
Solutions
Large Spills/Large Organic Load
undiluted from bottle
Small Spills/Virus Inactivation
10% - 1:9
General Surface Disinfection
1% - 1:99
Decontamination
Chemical