Take appropriate precautions on exposure of skin and mucous membranes to blood, blood droplets, or any other fluids.Use protective equipment devices to protect eyes, face, head, nose, and clothing. This equipment must always be used during invasive procedures.
Gloves
Wear latex gloves when collecting and handling specimens; touching blood, urine, other body fluids, mucous membranes, or performing vascular access procedures or other invasive procedures. Ensure gloves are worn when handling items or surfaces soiled with blood, urine, or body fluids.
General
Use antimicrobial soaps between care of individual patients. Wash hands immediately after removing gloves. Wash hands and other skin surfaces immediately and thoroughly if contaminated with blood or other body fluids. Be aware that transmission of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is possible from stool specimens, especially if there is a possibility of blood existing in the stool. People with open skin lesions or skin conditions should not engage in direct care until the condition clears up.
Handwashing
Ensure you wash hands, before and after care activities that involve direct contact. Wash hands before surgical or obstetric procedures. Wash hands before and after endoscopy or after any invasive procedures. Ensure you wash hands before direct contact with an immunocompromised patient or after contact with body fluids or tissues or with soiled items or parts.
Be Safe
Its important for all healthcare staff to protect themselves first before handling specimens and performing or assisting with diagnostic procedures. Assume in mind that you are treating a hepatitis B, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C, or other potential pathogens, and follow SOP always. Follow SOP when collecting, handling, packaging, transporting, storing, and receiving specimens. Initial observations and specimen handling are to be performed under a laminar flow hood, and protective clothing, which includes, but is not limited to, gloves, gowns, face masks or shields, and eye protection.
