In addition to those measures specified in the OPS Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Program, the following procedure is added as additional precaution in the clean-up of fecal and vomitus material.  These precautions were written to help prevent the spread of the highly contagious Norovirus illnesses.  The product specified in this plan is also shown to be effective against bloodborne pathogens.

 

Clean-Up of Body Fluids

 

1.                  Staff must notify Custodial Staff of a reported or witnessed body fluid spill of fecal or vomitus material in the school.

2.                  Students and Staff need to vacate at least a 25-foot radius from the site of the spill for decontamination.  Leave items within the 25-foot radius that need to be decontaminated until they are properly cleaned.

3.                  Custodial Staff will don personal protective equipment (PPE) at the site of the body fluid spill.   Wearing PPE in view of other school occupants can cause unnecessary alarm.

a.        The minimum PPE for any body fluid spill shall be non-latex gloves and boot covers, donned at the decontamination site.  If the potential for splashing exists, eye protection either face shields, goggles or safety glasses are to be worn.  Tyvek coveralls are available to Custodial Staff to wear during the clean-up process to protect their clothing from being contaminated. 

b.      All disposable PPE are to be removed and sealed in a bag prior to leaving the decontaminated site.  Under no circumstances are gloves, boot covers or Tyvek coveralls used in the clean-up of body fluid spills to be worn to other areas of the building as this can spread the pathogen.  Eye protection should be cleaned with the Rely-On (Virkon) spray before leaving the area.

4.                  Procedure for effective clean-up.

a.       Spray the body fluid spill with Rely-On (Virkon) spray.

b.      Solidify the spill with Nilogel or similar product.

c.       Dispose of the spill material in an individual plastic bag and seal.

d.      Sanitize the surface where the body fluid was spilled with another application of Rely-On (Virkon) spray and allow to set for five minutes.

e.       Hand shampoo the carpeted areas with a disposable rag.  Bag and discard after use.

f.        Mist the carpeted surface with Rely-On (Virkon) spray and allow setting for another five minutes.  Do not use a dry vacuum over the spill area until the carpet is completely dry.  

g.       During the five minute periods for the Rely-On (Virkon) spray, wipe down all surfaces within the 10-foot radius that were contaminated with the a rag wetted with Rely-On (Virkon).  Non-porous surfaces within the radius can be misted with the Rely-On (Virkon) spray and allowed to dry.

h.       All waste generated from the clean-up can be disposed of in the sanitary refuse container as regular waste.

5.                  Proper personal and building cleaning methods are critical in preventing the spread of Norovirus pathogens and must be practiced as a routine preventative measure.

a.       Encourage proper hand washing by staff and students.  This is the primary method in preventing the spread of contagious illnesses in any setting.

                                                               i.      Hand Washing Recommendation

1.      Wet hands with warm, running water.

2.      Add soap and rub hands together front and back, between fingers and under nails for about 20 seconds.   (Try humming the “Happy Birthday” song twice).

3.      Rinse.  Dry Hands with a clean paper towel.

4.      Turn off water with used paper towel(s) before throwing away.

b.      Diaper changing surfaces need to be sanitized with soap and disinfected with diluted chlorine bleach.  (Six (6) tablespoons, approximately 1/3 cup, per gallon of water, changed daily).

c.       Toys put in students’ mouths or those that are drooled on need to be sanitized with detergent then soaked in the bleach solution for five (5) minutes.  Allow the toys to air dry. 

d.      Mats in Kindergarten rooms need to be sanitized and disinfected between student uses.

 

In the event more than five percent (5%) of the entire building population is sick with a vomiting-type illness, a Norovirus episode will be assumed to exist.  Additional precautions will be implemented at that time.  Building Staff need to inform the Administrator when the number of persons affected with similar Norovirus-type symptoms nears five percent (5%) of the population.  At that time, the Building Administrator will contact the Supervisor of Health Services and the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services.