Blood Borne Viruses infection control policy

Blood Borne Viruses infection control policy

 

Aim of policy

 

To provide a safe physical and emotional environment for all staff/ children and families involved with Castle Daycare & Preschool. Castle Daycare & Preschool recognises that blood borne viruses are a part of the community. This policy aims to minimise the risk of transmission to all associated with Castle Daycare & Preschool.

 

 

Points to consider

 

1. In dealing with an injury, all people should be treated as if they have a blood borne virus. This practice is commonly described as ‘universal precautions’. You will not always know whether a person who is bleeding is infectious; therefore it is important that anyone who treats a person follows established safety procedures when dealing with an injury. All blood should be treated as if it is infectious.

 

2. Children, staff and families have a right to privacy. Castle Daycare & Preschool would like to give families and staff the opportunity to give any information regarding any blood borne viruses that they or their children may have, with the knowledge that the information will go only so far as it is authorised and will only be used for the purpose for which it was gathered.

 

3. A child’s health status should not affect their right to an education. Children/ staff/ families should be able to participate in all activities in early childhood settings to the extent that their health permits.

 

4. Castle Daycare & Preschool encourages staff and families to let the Nursery Manager know if they are infected with any blood borne viruses. This information will be treated as confidential.

 

All personnel should know how to carry out the Nursery’s first aid and safety procedures.

 

First aid kits should be strategically sited around the nursery, particularly in areas when an injury is more likely to be sustained. These kits should contain all necessary equipment and materials for dealing with blood.

 

First aid kits are located: at the office, outdoor classroom and hallway

Guidelines for universal precautions on handling blood in children’s nurseries.

1. Before treating someone who is bleeding, staff will ensure they have covered any of their own cuts or abrasions with a water-proof dressing.

2. Wear gloves for all procedures.

3. Don't delay treatment of a child who is bleeding, under any circumstances because gloves are not immediately available. Use an absorbent barrier such as a towel, paper towel, handkerchief etc. for an actively bleeding child.

4. Dispose of used gloves, soiled dressings, sanitary towels, tissues, etc, in a place where they will not be handled, e.g. in bags which are burnt or buried.

5. Wipe clean and then sterilise all surfaces and instruments contaminated with blood. Make sure you use an effective disinfectant.

6. Where safety permits soak surfaces for 20 minutes and then wipe dry.

7. Wash hands thoroughly when you have finished. Hand washing is usually adequate for non-blood secretions, but the above precautions (i.e. gloves, etc) can also be used.

8. Make sure that first-aid kits include disposable gloves, disposable wipes or towels, plastic bags for contaminated waste.

Further useful information:

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) this is a virus which attacks the immune system. It is both immune suppressing and opportunistic, not only depleting the immune system but replicating within the body as the immune system becomes more damaged. People with HIV become increasingly likely to develop certain infections, or some forms of cancer, which the body would normally be able to resist easily.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) this is the most severe clinical expression of infection with HIV. AIDS is diagnosed according to clinical criteria established by the regions or countries nominated health body. These criteria include the diagnoses of one of several opportunistic infections, including Kaposi's sarcoma, lymphoma, and a rare form of pneumonia.

Hepatitis B this is a vaccine preventable viral infection of the liver that causes nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting and jaundice (yellow skin).

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease that affects the liver and can cause serious long-term liver problems.

How these viruses are transmitted:

HIV can only be transmitted through sexual intercourse/activity involving the exchange of body fluids (semen & vaginal fluids); the exchange of blood by sharing needles and syringes, by injecting drug users. It can also be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding.

HIV positive children represent a minimal risk to others. It has not been conclusively demonstrated that HIV (and hepatitis B) infected children who bite others transmit the virus. Any child who is bleeding from an injury should be removed for the protection and safety of all other participants in whatever sport they are playing. The injury should be treated following the safety procedures set out in the above guidelines.  

HIV is not transmitted by casual contact, such as sneezing, handshaking, and the sharing of eating and toilet facilities.

Hepatitis B is transmitted through close contact with blood or other body fluids of an infected person. This can happen in a number of ways: by close physical contact; by sexual intercourse; from mother to baby when the baby is born; by injecting drug users sharing non-sterilised needles; and by tattooists using non-sterilised needles.

Hepatitis C is transmitted through contact with infected blood. It occurs through sharing contaminated injecting equipment and contaminated skin piercing such as tattooing and body piercing.