HANDLING SYRINGES/SHARPS AND BLOOD

STEPS	HOW/ STANDARDS
BLOOD/VOMIT/BODILY FLUIDS	When stripping the bed and it is obvious the occupant of the room may have lost blood, bodily fluid or was unwell it is necessary to ensure that the linen that has been soiled is separated to other linen and placed in a plastic bag (not a garbage bag) to ensure it is not discarded with other rubbish.  The bag is then required to be sent to the linen room, which in turn will advise the laundry of the arrival of special laundry for extra treatment. It is recommended to wear plastic or rubber gloves as soon as the heavily soiled linen is noticed to ensure you do not come into contact with the soiled linen when it is being handled.  In case the blood or fluid has also been noticed on the mattress, this area needs to be cleaned and disinfected with the recommended detergent or chemical and left to dry. If the soiled linen is brought down to the linen room or housekeeping after hours ensure that the bag is sealed with a sign attached to alert colleagues of the contents within the bag. E.g. CAUTION: BLOOD STAINED SHEETS / VOMIT / BODILY FLUIDS.  WEAR GLOVES WHEN HANDLING CONTENTS  Any blood or fluid noticed on the carpet needs to be gently cleaned with cold water only, disinfected.  Contact the housekeeping office to advise the coordinator so they can  arrange for the carpet to be shampooed and an air ionizer placed in the room.  This is required to be auctioned immediately to ensure the stain remains in the carpet for the least amount of time.  Subject to the size and density of the stain water may be required to soak in for a period of time to be able to make it easier to have the stain removed and cleaned.  Once the stain has been removed it is essential that the carpet in the room is shampooed to remove any traces of the stains or odors that may be in the room. Have the air ionizer from housekeeping plugged in and left on in the room to eliminate any odors that the room may have and will assist in the air circulation, after the carpet has been shampooed.
	SYRINGES / SHARPS From time to time we will have Guests who need to use syringes (Diabetes).  Very often it states in the reservation that they need a syringe box or sharps container, which the hotel will supply to be able to dispose of them safely.  Regular replacement containers will be required as a form of exchange for the guest if the guest is staying for a period of time. Syringes are also found in guest rooms in all places, which could be for other forms of use.  If a syringe is seen within a guestroom then it is necessary to collect the sharps container from the storage area or contact housekeeping to have one delivered to the room.  If you must leave the room to collect the container, then ensure the room is locked, whilst you are collecting the container. If a syringe is found in a public area, ensure yourself or a colleague remains at the location whilst the other person arranges to the container for it to be disposed of as per the correct procedure.  Steps to remove a syringe： Ensure you wear gloves at all times when disposing of syringes Collect the sharps containers and move the disposal opening towards the end of the needle Pick the syringe up from the plunger end, which is the opposite end to the needle Drop the syringe in the sharps container and close the lid Never use tongs or tweezers to pick up syringes, as it could cause an injury if it is dropped or dislodged Take the container to security and return an empty sharpscontainer to the location it was taken from originally If you have not been trained or are not confident in using the sharps container and performing the procedure then contact the housekeeping supervisor to advise them so they can arrange for some to complete the task. Regular training in handling Blood / Sharps/ Syringes must be conducted as part of the housekeeping orientation program.  Only a trained person in the handling of syringes/sharps should handle and dispose of them accordingly.  All housekeeping colleagues should be observant whilst cleaning the guest room to avoid any unnecessary injuries or accidents occurring.