What are blood and body fluid precautions?
Blood and body fluid precautions are used to prevent the transmission of diseases such as HIV or hepatitis. These precautions are utilized by healthcare workers and individuals who provide first aid when they may come into contact with blood or body fluids. Precautions may include protective barriers, such as gloves, gowns, masks, or eye protection.
These precautions also apply to other body fluids, including breast milk, semen, rectal and vaginal fluids, and fluid that surrounds a fetus or organs inside the body.
Why are these precautions important?
Although skin provides some protection from exposure to potentially infectious substances, it is strongly recommended that health professionals use blood and body fluid precautions for additional protection when delivering healthcare . These precautions also help protect you from exposure to potential infections from your health professional in the unlikely event that you come into contact with the health professional’s blood.
It is recommended that everyone employs blood and body fluid precautions when administering first aid.
Are blood and body fluid precautions always needed?
The best practice is to always use blood and body fluid precautions, even when you cannot see any blood and there is no chance that blood is present.
How can you reduce your risk of exposure to blood and body fluids?
Blood and body fluid precautions involve the use of protective barriers such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection. These measures reduce the risk of exposing the skin or mucous membranes to potentially infectious fluids. Healthcare workers should always use protective barriers to shield themselves from exposure to another person’s blood or body fluids.
If you administer first aid, use blood and body fluid precautions. You may wish to keep gloves available in your home, office, or vehicle if you think you may be required to assist another person in an emergency.
Taking the following precautions can help you minimize your risk of exposure to contaminated blood and body fluids.
Use gloves to protect yourself whenever you touch blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or broken, burned, or
scraped skin.The use of gloves also decreases the risk of disease transmission if you are pricked by a
needle.
- Always wear gloves when handling items or surfaces soiled with blood or body fluids.
- Wear gloves if you have scraped, cut, or chapped skin on your hands.
- Change your gloves after each use.
- Wash your hands immediately after removing your gloves.
- Wash your hands and other skin surfaces immediately after they come into contact with blood or body fluids.
Always wear a mask and protective eyewear if you are performing a procedure that may expose you to splashes.
or sprays of blood or body fluids.
Masks and protective eyewear, such as goggles or a face shield, help protect your eyes, mouth, and nose.
from droplets of blood and other body fluids.Always wear a gown or apron if you are performing a procedure that may expose you to splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids. Gowns or aprons protect you from splashes of blood or body fluids.
Take these precautions if you give injections to a family member or yourself:
- Use puncture-resistant containers to dispose of needles, scalpels, and other sharp instruments.
- Do not recap needles.
- Do not bend or handle used needles or disposable syringes.
Avoid touching objects that may be contaminated.
Learn first aid and CPR, so when faced with an emergency or injury, you will know what to do.
What should you do if you are exposed to blood or body fluids?
Here are some steps to take if you are exposed to blood or body fluids.
Wash your hands immediately after any exposure to blood or body fluids, even if you are wearing gloves.
Flush with water if you get splashed in the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Contact your doctor right away for further advice if you are pricked by a needle (needlestick).
