Splashes from cleaning bedpans and emptying suction cups can transfer a pathogen through the eyes, nose, or mouth and can be an overlooked risk for healthcare facility workers, according to an article on the Occupational Health and Safety website.
Splashes, like sharps, can present serious risks to healthcare employees, the article said. They can cause occupational-related infections, ranging from human immunodeficiency virus to hepatitis B virus to hepatitis C virus.
Disinfection appliances — such as bedpan washers — and better methods of storing personal protection equipment and creating a culture of safety, can help curb the risks.
Standard precautions are the foundation of infection prevention measures and are recognized as the absolute minimum necessary steps to protect the health care worker and prevent the spread of infections among patients, the article said.
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