Unit II. Infection Control/Prevention Measures
TO PREVENT TRANSMISSION OF BLOOD-BORNE DISEASES:
•Wash your hands for 30 seconds after contact with blood and other body fluids contaminated with blood.
•Wear disposable latex gloves when you encounter large amounts of blood, especially if you have open cuts or chapped skin. Wash your hands as soon as you remove your gloves.
•Discard blood-stained material in a sealed plastic bag and place in a lined, covered garbage container.
•Cover cuts or scratches with a bandage until healed.
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NEVER DELAY EMERGENCY ACTION BECAUSE YOU CAN'T APPLY UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS. THE RISK OF TRANSMISSION OF BLOOD-BORNE DISEASES IS TOO SMALL TO JUSTIFY ENDANGERING YOURSELF OR YOUR CLIENTS.
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EPA Approved Disinfectants
Since the Sanitation portion of the Massage rules require you to use only EPA approved Hospital Grade Tuberculocidal disinfectants it is important for you to know what constitutes this information and what must be contained on the label. Each product label must contain the following:
EPA registration number – This number is assigned by the EPA and refers to the location of the test data.
Directions for proper use – Pay particular attention to directions in order for it to be effective.
Safety precautions – These should include proper storage requirements, flammability levels and poison control procedures.
List of active ingredients – These will not necessarily say QUATS, phenol or alcohol but will have some form of that word in their title.
MSDS – It is the responsibility of the distributor of a product to see that you have the latest material safety data sheets. They are available form the manufacturer if you need extra copies.
Proper Use of Disinfectants
Organic matter neutralizes disinfectants. When a disinfectant is sprayed on a surface any organic matter, hair, bacteria, skin cells from dust, etc., will neutralize the disinfectant properties of the product. It is therefore important to apply the product, wipe it off, reapply and allow to remain wet for at least ten minutes. (Ten minutes is the most common time frame but read the directions for your particular product for the correct timing.) It is important to note that leaving a tool immersed in a disinfectant for too long will damage it, also. Once again, read and follow the manufacturer's directions precisely.
Some products that advertise themselves as disinfectants are required to perform as they say. They may not, however, be EPA approved. This does not mean that they do not work or are any less effective. It only means that they have not been tested in a commercial setting and are not recommended for this use. Common household bleach is an example of this. Bleach does have disinfectant properties but most are not approved for commercial use for the cosmetology industry only because they have not been tested. Check the label very carefully to find the words "EPA approved" and "Hospital Grade" and "Tuberculocidal."
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