Cleaning up Bodily Fluids

Page 21

If an area has been exposed or soiled with bodily fluids such as blood, urine, feces, vomit, or another fluid, the area must be safely and swiftly cleaned and disinfected. It is important to remove children from the area and not allow them access again until the area has been properly cleaned, disinfected, and completely dried. 

Review the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing: ​

• Cleaning a surface refers to removing visible dirt, soil, or debris using soap and water or something similar.
• Sanitizing refers to reducing the number of germs on a surface drastically, but not removing them entirely.
• Disinfecting a surface refers to eliminating or removing germs.

How to clean up bodily fluids:

1. Wear gloves and PPE. Be careful not to get any of the fluid in your eyes, nose, mouth, or open sores.
2. Clean surfaces to remove visible debris.
3. Disinfect surfaces appropriately and safely.
4. Discard contaminated materials in a secure and sealed plastic bag.
5. Wash your hands after cleaning the fluids, even if gloves were worn.

Some tips

• Mops that are used should be cleaned and then rinsed with a disinfecting solution, wrung as dry as possible, and then hung to dry completely.
• Materials contaminated with bodily fluids should be sealed in a secure bag, transported, and then stored away from children. Plastic grocery bags do not meet this requirement and more secure bags should be used.
• Tissues, gum, food, used latte cups, and other waste with OPIM should be disposed of in a secure lidded receptacle where children are not able to access those materials.
• Soiled bedding should also be stored in a secure and sealed plastic bag and not mixed with blankets or toys. It is best to clean contaminated materials separately from other items. It is also important to use a disinfectant when washing and high heat in the drying cycle. 

Course Navigation Menu

1. Course Agenda
​2. Purposes for Protection
3. Bloodborne Pathogens
4. Transmission of Germs
5. Hepatitis B
6. Hepatitis C
7. Hepatitis (1/5)
8. HIV
9. HIV/AIDS Awareness (2/5)

10. Bloodborne Risks 
11. Bloodborne Pathogens (3/5)
12.  Standard Precautions
13. Proper Handwashing
14. Personal Protective Equipment
15. Gloves
16. Personal Protective Gear (PPE)
17. Cleaning
18. Sanitizing versus Disinfecting

19. Using Bleach-Water
20. Disinfecting, Sanitizing, Cleaning
21. Cleaning up Bodily Fluids
22. Safety Considerations
23. Universal & Standard Precautions (4/5)
24. Reactions to Exposure
25. Reviewing Bloodborne Pathogens
26. Final Quiz
Parking Lot