Medical Emergencies (Including Bloodborne Pathogens)

Advance Preparation

Make sure you are trained in basic first aid.

• Be aware of specific medical information, such as that on medical bracelets, indicating the need for immediate action.

• You might consider having or preparing an emergency cleanup kit for your classroom, including the following items:

Seamless nitrile examination gloves

Antiseptic hand towelettes or antiseptic soap

Germicidal disposable cloth

Cleanup spatulas

Face mask

Plastic or other disposal bags with twist ties

Absorbent powder for vomit and other fluid accidents (You could purchase on Amazon)

Shoe covers

Safety Procedures

Medical Emergencies

During Incident

• Use caution when a medical emergency involves blood or other bodily fluids (see “Bloodborne Pathogens” below).

• Administer first aid or locate those trained to help.

• Call emergency personnel as appropriate.

After Incident

• Contact parents or guardians.

• For simple cleanup, follow procedures listed under “Bloodborne Pathogens” below. Call trained authorities for complex cleanup.

• See the “Incident Reporting” page of this site for instructions on reporting the incident.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Bloodborne pathogens are disease-carrying bacteria or viruses that exist in blood or other bodily fluids or secretions. If you come in contact with bodily fluids from another individual, you run the risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis B, or other communicable diseases.

During Incident

• Have everyone move away from the scene of the accident.

• If necessary, contact emergency personnel.

• If blood or other bodily fluids are present, treat injured persons as if they are infectious.

• Use nitrile gloves when administering first aid. If there is much blood, put on a face mask.

• If you come in contact with any substance that may be contaminated, wash yourself thoroughly with soap and water and, if necessary, rinse your eyes with water.

• Stay calm and under control. It is uncommon to contract HIV or hepatitis B from exposure while at seminary.

After Incident

• Use the items in the emergency cleanup kit to clean the area that has been contaminated.

• If the cleanup is potentially hazardous, use the biohazard disposal bag as an outer bag to alert others that the bag contains infectious waste. (Could purchase on Amazon)

• Clean your hands with an antiseptic towelette or antiseptic soap.

• See the “Incident Reporting” page of this site for instructions on reporting the incident.

• Restock emergency cleanup kit and first-aid kit if necessary.