Spillages of blood and other body fluids may transmit blood borne viruses.

Important words and what they meanA blood borne virus is a virus carried or transmitted by blood, for example Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.Body fluids are fluids produced by the body such as urine, faeces, vomit or diarrhoea. These body fluids may also contain blood.

 

Blood and body fluid spillages should be decontaminated:

• as soon as is reasonably practical by staff trained to undertake this safely
• using body fluid spill kits/dedicated equipment

Dedicated products for this purpose should be prepared and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions

Local policies should be available which define procedures and processes to follow for the decontamination of blood and body fluid spillages which is inclusive of type of product, spillage type, volume and surface material. 

Suitable PPE should be worn based on the level of associated risk of exposure or contamination.

Any materials used for the decontamination of blood and body fluid spillages should be disposed of as infectious clinical waste.

 

Use the poster management of blood and body fluids to help you when you clean up blood and body fluid spillages.

 

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