CPR + First Aid + BBP Certification Manual: Cleaning Exposed Areas

Cleaning Exposed Areas

Blood and potentially infectious materials should be cleaned using procedures designed to reduce exposure and prevent contamination from spreading to other people or surfaces.

Do not begin cleanup until appropriate protective equipment and cleaning supplies are available.

Before Cleaning

Before approaching a contaminated area:

1. Restrict unnecessary access to the area
2. Put on appropriate PPE
3. Identify any sharps or broken objects before beginning cleanup
4. Obtain appropriate cleaning and disposal supplies
5. Follow the procedures established for the location

Cleaning Blood and Body Fluid Spills

General cleanup principles include:

1. Wear appropriate gloves and other PPE
2. Contain the spill when practical
3. Remove visible blood or contaminated material using appropriate disposable materials
4. Clean and disinfect the surface using an appropriate product
5. Allow the disinfectant to remain on the surface for the amount of time specified by its instructions (Disinfecting reduces pathogens to a safe level, but sterilization is the physical or chemical process that destroys all forms of microbial life and is generally reserved for reusable medical equipment rather than surfaces)
6. Dispose of contaminated materials appropriately
7. Remove PPE carefully
8. Perform hand hygiene

Handling Contaminated Sharps

Do not pick up contaminated needles or other sharps directly with your hands. Use the designated method or equipment for handling sharps and place them into an appropriate puncture-resistant sharps container. Do not reach into a sharps container.

Contaminated Clothing and Laundry

Handle contaminated clothing or laundry as little as possible. Avoid shaking contaminated materials, which may spread contamination. If contaminated laundry is still wet, transport it in a leak-proof container or bag to prevent soak-through. Place contaminated laundry in the designated container or bag and follow the organization's laundering procedures.

Contaminated Equipment

Reusable equipment that becomes contaminated should be cleaned and disinfected according to the manufacturer's instructions and workplace procedures before reuse. Disposable contaminated items should be placed in the appropriate waste container.Place contaminated disposable PPE in the designated waste container. Items that are saturated with blood or could release blood should not be placed in ordinary trash. Follow the workplace’s procedures for regulated waste.

Biohazard Containers

Containers used for contaminated waste and sharps are identified as biohazardous through labeling, the biohazard symbol, and color-coding (commonly red or orange) — not by a standardized shape or size.

After Cleaning

After cleanup:

• Remove PPE carefully
• Dispose of contaminated disposable PPE appropriately
• Clean reusable protective equipment if applicable
• Wash hands thoroughly
• Report any exposure that occurred during the cleanup process