The majority of blood contamination events in dentistry result from spatter during dental procedures using rotary or ultrasonic instrumentation, although no evidence supports that HBV, HCV or HIV has been transmitted from a housekeeping surface. Prompt removal and surface disinfection of an area contaminated by either blood or OPIM are appropriate infection control practices and required by OSHA.
Strategies for decontaminating spills of blood and other body fluids differ by setting and volume of the spill. Blood spills on either clinical contact or housekeeping surfaces should be contained and managed as quick as possible to reduce the risk of contact by patients and DHCP. Visible organic material should be removed with absorbent material (eg, disposable paper towels discarded in a leak proof, appropriately labeled container). Nonporous surfaces should be cleaned and then decontaminated with either an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant effective against HBV and HIV, or an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant with a tuberculocidal claim (ie, intermediate-level disinfectant). If sodium hypochlorite is chose, an EPA-registered sodium hypochlorite product is preferred. However, if such products are unavailable, a 1:100 dilution of sodium hypochlorite (eg, approximately 1/4 cup of 5.25% household chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of water) is an inexpensive and effective disinfecting agent.
Recommendation
Spills of Blood and Body Substances
1. Clean spills of blood or OPIM and decontaminate surface with an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant with low- (ie, HBV and HIV claims) to intermediate-level (ie, tuberculocidal claim) activity, depending on size of spill and surface porosity.