How to Use a Bodily Fluid Cleanup Kit

All bodily fluids, including vomit, stool, and blood, should be treated as infectious material. If someone has vomited or contaminated a surface with bodily fluid, it is crucial that you respond immediately. This tutorial will teach you the steps you will use to clean the area properly and reduce the risk of infection.

Only properly trained adults should clean up bodily fluids. Although it is important to clean the area quickly, be sure to follow each step thoroughly. Learning how to properly clean up bodily fluids is not only required by the Utah Bureau of Child Care Licensing, it will help protect you, your team members, and the children in your care from infectious diseases.

Step 1: Check the Contents of the Kit.

Be sure you have everything you need before you begin. If you start to clean up the fluids and then realize you are missing something, you must ask someone to get it for you or wash your hands again before touching anything else. Otherwise, you may spread infection.The Bodily Fluid Cleanup Kit contains the following supplies to protect you from illness and thoroughly disinfect an area contaminated by body fluids:

• Latex or vinyl gloves (at least 2 pairs)
• Kitty litter
• Disposable paper towels
• Small broom and dustpan
• Garbage bags and twist ties
• Sanitizing solution
• Hand sanitizer

Step 2: Put on Gloves.

Don’t be in such a hurry that you skip this step. It is crucial in helping protect you from infection. 

Step 3: Cover the Waste Thoroughly With Kitty Litter.

This will contain the waste, helping to prevent the spread of infection.

Step 4: Spray the Kitty Litter With Sanitizer Until It Is Completely Saturated.

The kitty litter will soak in the sanitizer as you spray it on. Keep spraying until you see no dry spots.

Step 5: Remove the Solid Waste and Kitty Litter Using Paper Towels and the Broom/dustpan, Putting the Contaminated Material in a Garbage Bag.

Warning: Be careful not to splash or make contact with other surfaces. If this does happen, clean the area thoroughly and sanitize.

Step 6: Spray the Area With Sanitizer and Wipe It With Paper Towels, Scrubbing If Necessary, and Disposing of the Paper Towels in the Garbage Bag. Repeat Until the Area Is Clean.

You may use laundry detergent instead of sanitizer for this step only.

Step 7: Take Off Your Gloves and Dispose of Them in the Garbage Bag.

Learn how to take off your gloves safely by watching this video .

Step 8: Thoroughly Wash Hands With Soap and Running Water for 20 Seconds.

 
Use a scrub brush, if available.

Step 9: Put on Clean Gloves.

The area may still contain pathogens, so it is important that you put on gloves again before completing the process.

Step 10: Using the Spray Bottle, Saturate the Area and Surrounding Areas With Sanitizer. Do Not Rinse or Scrub the Area.

After cleaning the area and re-gloving, it is important to disinfect the area to kill any remaining pathogens. It is better to use too much sanitizer than too little, so don’t be shy. Be sure to spray several feet around the area, because germs may exist where there is no visual sign of them.

Step 11: Clean and Disinfect Any Non-disposable Tools, Using the Sanitizer in Your Kit and a Sink That Is Designated for Cleaning.

Warning: Do not use the sinks in the kitchen or in the children’s restrooms. This is unsafe, as it may contaminate these areas and cause illness.

Step 12: Restock the Kit.

Refer to the content list of the kit, and be sure to replenish it completely. If you cannot find something or if any item needs to be restocked, tell your supervisor immediately. Do not leave the kit incomplete. In case of another bodily fluid event, it is crucial to have all items immediately available.

Step 13: Remove Gloves and Place Into the Garbage Bag, Use a Twist Tie to Seal the Bag, and Take It to the Outside Dumpster Immediately.

Warning: Do not place waste in an indoor garbage receptacle, where children have access to it.

Step 14: Wash Your Hands and Forearms With Soap, and Bag Soiled Clothing.

Soiled clothing should be machine washed in hot water using the longest available cycle and dried on the hottest setting.

Step 15: Use Hand Sanitizer.

This will help kill any remaining germs that your soap might have missed. This DOES NOT replace hand washing.

Step 16:

Congratulations! You have successfully cleaned up bodily fluid and helped prevent the spread of infection. You are now ready to take on the most dreaded task in child care with confidence.