Minimise the risk of exposure to blood and body fluids while providing care

This standard concerns minimising the risk, to yourself and others, of infection as a result of exposure to blood and other body fluids while providing care. It applies to all health and social care environments, including community and domiciliary settings and ambulance care settings.

Injuries from sharps, bites and splashes are common types of incidents reported. Injuries from contaminated sharps pose the greatest risk of acquiring blood borne infections.

All staff working in health and social care should receive training in how to deal with exposure to blood and body fluids, including the immediate management (including first aid).

If you are not exposed to blood or other body fluids or contaminated items of equipment or waste there is no risk of acquiring blood borne infections.

Cleaning and disinfecting are the terms that are used in this standard however in some areas the term 'decontamination' is used. 'Decontamination' is an umbrella term which incorporates cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising as appropriate.

The standard should be used alongside relevant legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols.

Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies.

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1. access and accurately interpret all relevant work instructions and information
2. work safely at all times and in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols
3. deal promptly and effectively with any problems within your control and report those which cannot be solved
4. identify and minimise hazards and risks in the workplace
5. confirm identity of the individual in accordance with organisational procedures
6. gain valid, informed consent from the individual in accordance with specific procedures
7. communicate with the individual and key people at a pace, in a manner and at a level appropriate to the individual's understanding, preferences and needs
8. respect the individual's rights and wishes relating to their privacy, beliefs, and dignity
9. provide support to the individual and ensure health and safety measures are implemented at all times
10. ensure all of your recommended occupational immunisations are up to date
11. perform effective hand hygiene
12. gather the approved waste receptacles before beginning an activity
13. carry out cleaning and disinfecting immediately following a spillage of body fluids
14. safely handle any sharps to avoid injury whilst following organisational procedures for infection prevention and control precautions
15. return sharps containers to a safe location in accordance with organisational procedures
16. remove personal protective equipment discarding single use equipment in an appropriate waste receptacle, clean, with or without disinfection any re-usable equipment ready for re-use
17. take precautions to avoid, as far as possible, any exposure during the activity
18. dispose of waste in accordance with organisational procedures
19. complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements

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1. the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
3. how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions and information
4. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability
5. the duty to report any acts or omissions that could be unsafe/detrimental to you or others
6. the hazards and risks which may arise during the execution of your work role and how you can minimise these
7. how to adapt communication styles in ways which are appropriate to the needs of the individual 
8. the correct use of any equipment and PPE to protect the health and safety of you and others
9. how to obtain positive confirmation of an individual's identity in accordance with organisational procedures
10. relevant standard infection prevention and control precautions, national legislation/guidance and local policies/procedures
11. the chain of infection
12. hierarchy of controls
13. the key moments of hand hygiene
14. how approaches in clinical and social environments may differ
15. how to access facilities for hand hygiene
16. effective techniques for maintaining hand hygiene
17. how to access facilities for first aid
18. first aid for inoculation, bites and splash incidents
19. the different colour-coded bags and waste receptacles available and the correct use of each including labeling
20. how to segregate different types of waste
21. how to handle items of equipment contaminated with blood and other body fluids
22. how to deal with spillages of blood and other body fluids
23. how to handle and dispose of sharps safely
24. how and when to report any issues
25. how to dispose of waste in accordance with organisational procedures
26. how to complete and safely store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements