Infection Control Manual, Standard Precautions

Standard Precautions

Introduction

Transmission-Based Precautions

Hand Hygiene

	RMW
	Routine Waste
	Decon. of Spills
	Decon. of Clothing

Patient/Visitor Exposures

Linen/Laundry Services

Medical Emergencies

Select Chapter:

Yale New Haven Hospital
QISS
GB 325
New Haven, CT
06504 USA

Dr. Jeff Topal
688-4634


Decontamination of Clothing

Healthcare Worker
Healthcare worker's clothing that becomes contaminated by blood or body fluids/substances should be handled according to the following procedure:

Clothing should be removed promptly while wearing gloves.
Clothing should be placed in a plastic biohazard/leakproof bag.
The healthcare worker's supervisor should be notified and arrangements should be made for healthcare worker's personal uniform or clothing to be decontaminated and laundered.
The healthcare worker should report to OHS if there is any exposure through clothing to the skin.

Patient
Patient clothing and personal belongings that become contaminated by blood or body substances should be handled according to the following procedures. Any items that cannot be managed in the manner below, should be sealed in a plastic bag and kept at the bedside until the matter can be discussed with Hospital Epidemiology.

Clothing
Clothing soiled by blood or body substances should be placed in a tightly sealed plastic bag at the patient's bedside and given to the family for home laundering. The family should be instructed to wash the clothing by machine, using a laundry detergent. Hot water and chlorine bleach should also be used unless these agents will damage the items. The plastic bag used to contain the clothing during its transport should be placed in a second plastic bag, tightly sealed, and discarded in the household trash. Persons involved in the handling of contaminated clothing should be instructed to wash their hands thoroughly after handling the items.
Personal Belongings
Disinfect hard surfaces by wiping the items using a 1:10 solution of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite in water (1 part chlorine bleach to 9 parts water).
Disposable articles, such as magazines, that are contaminated by blood or body substances should be disposed of according to the hospital's regulated and non-regulated waste policy.

Last modified: September 30, 2002.