Blood Wash Procedure PDF

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Blood Wash Procedure Effective Date: 08/12/2020 Procedure Number 04-13C Revised Date: Number of Pages 07 1. Overv...

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Blood Wash Procedure Effective Date: 08/12/2020 Procedure Number 04-13C Revised Date: Number of Pages 07 1. Overview Scenes contaminated with blood pose a public health hazard. The use of hose lines to “wash down” a scene transfers the blood and its live pathogens to storm drains which are not treated before ending up in water ways. The Salt Lake County Health department has oversite in these instances and has indicated that something should be done whenever possible to neutralize the pathogens prior to their entry into the water system. 2. Definitions Blood wash – Removal of blood contamination at a medical or crime scene in a public area. Private property owners should be directed to contact a clean-up company for blood removal. Bru Tabs- Dry tablets that are used for disinfecting hard surfaces in industrial, and medical settings Sprayer- Garden type pump sprayer ½ gallon capacity 3. Guideline Captains have the discretion to request another apparatus respond in their place when they are dispatched for a blood wash on calls that they handled originally. Ask dispatch to send another apparatus and tell them that you will remain in service. All heavy apparatus will be supplied with a ½ gallon sprayer and a sleeve of Bru tabs. When a Fire crew is called to the scene of a “blood wash,” crews will use a 2-tablet concentration in a sprayer to neutralize any pathogens in the blood prior to any use of water. The tablets should be added to the sprayer after it has been filled with water and then allowed to dissolve for approx. 5 minutes prior to being applied to the blood areas. After the solution has been applied, 10 minutes of time is necessary to ensure that the pathogens have been neutralized. Once the solution is mixed it has a shelf life of about 8 hrs. so it shall not be pre-mixed and kept on apparatus. When called for, follow the steps listed below to complete decontamination and blood wash: 1. Add Bru tabs to pump sprayer (2 tablets per ½ gallon of water) 2. While tablets are dissolving, remove any heavy concentrations of blood with absorbents 3. Absorbents shall be placed in a bio bag 4. Spray affected area with Bru tab solution and allow to sit for 10 minutes. A broom can also be used to scrub the solution in heavier or dried areas. 5. After solution has been allowed to neutralize the pathogens, it may then be sprayed off the surface with water from hose streams. 6. Try avoiding storm drains whenever possible by directing the wash water to pervious areas whenever possible. Crews may contact the Hazmat team for assistance, or advice on any scene involving a blood wash. Hazmat can also resupply the Bru tabs. 04-13C Blood Wash Procedure.pdf, Page 1 of 1