what is your procedure?

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Derf

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Hi everyone! I am new to the forum and would like your imput. If you have already discussed this topic please direct me to it.
I was wondering your procedures for when your clothing, shoes, ect. come into contact with blood or other bodily fluids? I am going to bring this up at our next association meeting and would like some references. Thanks
 
Keep a large bottle of peroxide on the unit & splash some on the clothing immediately. Whenever you are able, take the clothing off and treat w/ an antibacterial spray or bleach (don't ruin your colors though!!) Wash in the hottest water possible. Don't forget to clean your body thoroughly w/ antibacterial soap and hot water.
 
Our procedure is to notify Supv. as possible and make notation of exposure. The employee is required to carry an extra uniform or jumpsuit and shower ASAP. We have a washer and dryer at the main HQ and the uniform can be decontaminated there and later be laundered if wanted to.

R/r 911
 
Thanks, so you dont bring your soiled clothes home to be treated and taken care of? I think a person shouldnt take the risk of their family being exposed to any possible diseases or illnesses!
 
1st of all;
Welcome to the forum young lady!

We in the rural setting are up and out of bed at all hr. of the night, or day, and return home 1-2 hr. latter, and in doing that we have crawled into our cars, sometimes not knowing we have various body fluids on us. The procedure we would use are certainly out of date.(down into basement and into shower, closes into washer)
We do need to do better.
 
I have a rule that the scrubs and clothes immediately go off as soon as I hit the door. I have a utility room where the washer and dryer is in, with clean clothes to change into.

Nice idea not to bring dirty or soiled clothes, but unrealistic. I am more exposed in the ER more than in the field. Coughs, spit, poo, changing linen, moving patients, etc. Many times not aware of the situation.

From the wash room to the shower.. it's the routine that I don't break.

My girlfriend had cancer and was under chemo and I had to be very careful, and ever since then I have attempted to lower the risks. As well, most viruses are fragile and washed in hot temps are killed. As a precautions I always run the tub with chlorine mixture afterwards.

R/r 911
 
Hi and welcome to the tribe. First, you should find out what the policy is for the company/agency that you work for. If there is no "visible" blood exposure, and these are your uniforms you have worn after a shift, this is what I do. I have a separate clothing basket that lives outside where my washer and dryer are. I wash these items separately in very hot water, and as far as my boots/shoes goes they get hung on two wood pegs that I have put up so they can air out and get the sunshine get to them. Hope this helps! :)
 
I work in a small rural agency that is all volunteer. We are required to wear bunker gear at all MVA's and we've sort of on our own developed the habit of looking each other over after the call for 'icky-stickies'. If contaminated, we wash the gear at the station.

As for personal clothing, I carry an extra T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants in my car. If contaminated on a call, I change into those at the station and toss my clothes into the station washer.
 
Boots off and on plastic liner and sandles on before I get in my car (more comfy too) no exceptions, and cleaned before I leave the hospital if there is any obvious contamination. If we have had a funky patient that night, i'm liable to change clothes before I hit the car.

Work clothes always sorted into own bin and washed seperately in hot water!

As for the clothes, if its just clothes ie: shirt or pants minor contamination, and not a gross contamination, with NO open wound skin contact: Remove contamintated clothes and switch into spares (kept in car at Grady) Use the trauma scrub-in sink to scrub, scrub, scrub, soap, soap soap, scrub, scrub, scrub.

If there is an apparent BBP exposure, or gross skin contact, or saturated clothing, then we notify supervision immediately and a full lab set is taken, and the usual hospital exposure protocal is followed for reporting.
 
SOAP AND WATER IS A VERY GOOD THING! ^_^
 
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