When there is an accident and a person leaves blood on the floor or counter, can we make the staff clean up that spill like any other mess?

The short answer is yes, you can, however there are specific protections and training you must provide in order to make that part of their job that will likely make that an  impractical policy.  The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (BPS) requires very specific actions by the employer when an employee is expected to come in contact with human blood or “other potentially infectious material” of human origin.

In general, we believe the most practical, everyday plan is "You bleed, You Clean." For minor incidents, when possible, have the staff member who cuts themselves clean up the blood stains after they tend to their injuries.  We feel it’s also a fair policy for visitors or clients.  After you offer the person first aid supplies, hand them napkins and a squirt bottle of disinfectant while saying something like, "Mrs. Jones, I know this is not how you planned your visit, but I'm sure you realize how strict the rules can be when dealing with blood or body fluids from another person. Our employees are not allowed to touch human blood because it's not something we train or equip them to do. So now that you've taken care of your immediate injury, if you could do this for us I'd really appreciate it. If you can't do this, I understand. We'll call in one of those cleanup companies to clean up the mess."

Most clients don't have a problem with doing that for a nosebleed or a parent cleaning up vomit from a child. This would  certainly not be the approach in an extreme event, such as a client fainting, hitting their head and being taken to the hospital.

Regardless of the cause, the hospital must still plan for cleaning up after a catastrophic event such a violent incident or a suicide. A written plan spelling out the “dos and don’ts” that staff members are expected to follow is the minimum.  Aside from the minor “you bleed, you clean” events, the most practical option we’ve found for catastrophic events is to contact a professional company that deals with accident scene cleanup to arrange for them to come in and "remediate" the site when or if it becomes necessary. Such a service will cost several hundred dollars, but that's still significantly less than the cost to perform the required medical evaluations and vaccinations, train and equip,  staff members as mandated by the BPS.

Hopefully, there will never be a need to use such services, but the purpose of having a written plan is to prepare for worst but hope for the best!

 

 

 

Did You Know...?

Our Good Samaritan Policy Sign is the perfect way to remind staff members they are not expected to render aid to humans as part of their job but are encouraged to act as a Good Samaritan when someone is in need.

Click here to view and order safety signs.