Protecting healthcare workers from splash exposures

Splashes occur during workers' daily activities like emptying suction cups, spraying bedpans or changing fecal tubes of catheters


Splashes, or mucocutaneous pathogen exposures, occur during workers' daily activities like emptying suction cups, spraying bedpans or changing fecal tubes of catheters. These activities can send patients' bodily fluid accidently into workers' eyes or open cuts, according to an article on the Becker's Hospital Review website.

A 2003 study showed 43 percent of physicians, 39 percent of registered nurses, 27 percent of licensed practical nurses and 25 percent of medical techs experienced at least one mucocutaneous blood exposure in the previous three months, the article said.

Tips to get splash exposures under control include:

• Provide improved personal protective equipment. Splash exposures usually happen when bodily fluids get in healthcare workers' eyes, so some hospitals opt to provide masks with clear plastic shields.

• Get rid of the hopper. A common source of splashes is rinsing bedpans, which, in most U.S. hospitals, happens in a hopper. Get a bedpan washer instead.

Read the article.

 

 



October 13, 2014


Topic Area: Environmental Services


Recent Posts

Healthcare Is the New Retail

How site selection strategies are shaping the future of medical real estate.


Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services Launches Campaign to Renovate Health Center

The $2 million capital campaign aims to renovate and expand the outpatient behavioral health center in Elizabeth, New Jersey.


Ground Broken for New North Dakota State Hospital

The 300,000-square-foot facility in Jamestown will provide 140 beds in a modern, trauma-informed care environment.


AI Usage for Healthcare Facilities

People in all industries are finding more use cases for artificial intelligence.


Ground Broken on Pelican Valley Senior Living Modernization Project

It is expected to reach completion in early-mid 2027.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.