Decontaminating EMS/Firefighter Equipment
I found this article about Decontamination, and figured that it would be a great time to mention our Bloodborne Pathogens Training that we offer. This is something that we take very seriously, and we hope that you do too!
We’ve learned that many people are leaving hospital settings in scrubs that may be contaminated. Even if the scrubs go right into the wash when you get home, what else have you contaminated? The car? The restaurant that you went to lunch at?
We’ve got an excerpt below, but be sure to read the rest by following the link if you’re at all interested!
Q: We have taught our paramedics and firefighters that their uniform is NOT PPE and that if their bunker gear gets soiled with blood or other potentially infectious materials, it may be hard to decontaminate. Do you have any suggestions for the cleaning of bunker gear and the heavy leather gloves they use?
Huser recommended this site, particularly for firefighter uniforms. Under the title “Decontamination” it reads:
“For extreme contamination with products of combustion, fire debris or body fluids, removal of the contaminants by flushing with water as soon as possible is necessary, followed by appropriate cleaning. In the case of bloodborne pathogens, recommended decontamination procedures include using a .5 to 1% concentration of Lysol®, or a 3-6% concentration of stabilized hydrogen peroxide. Liquid glutaraldehyde, available through commercial sources, will also provide high to intermediate levels of disinfectant activity. Decontamination may not be possible when protective clothing is contaminated with chemical or biological agents. When decontamination is not possible, the garments should be discarded in accordance with local, state and federal regulations. Garments that are discarded should be destroyed.”
Ask the Expert – Decontaminating EMS/firefighter equipment
Bloodborne Pathogens Training
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