Infection control during first aid protects both the person providing care and the injured individual. Pathogens in bodily fluids, such as blood or saliva, can easily transmit infections. The core principle is to assume all bodily fluids are potentially infectious and to use barrier techniques to minimize exposure. Applying established first aid procedures and hygiene practices significantly lowers the risk of pathogen transmission.
Establishing Personal Safety Barriers
The concept of Universal Precautions is the foundational step in minimizing infection risk. This approach dictates that all blood and certain body fluids must be treated as if they carry bloodborne pathogens, regardless of the casualty’s known health status. The consistent use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) creates a physical barrier against potential contamination.
Disposable medical gloves, preferably non-latex materials like nitrile or vinyl, should be donned before any contact with bodily fluids. If the rescuer has pre-existing cuts or abrasions, these should be securely covered with a waterproof bandage before putting on the gloves. This helps prevent pathogens from entering the rescuer’s bloodstream through compromised skin.
Eye protection, such as safety goggles or a face shield, is important if there is a risk of fluids splashing, particularly during heavy bleeding. For rescue breathing, a barrier device like a pocket mask with a one-way valve must be used. This prevents direct mouth-to-mouth contact and blocks the transfer of pathogens.
Immediate Wound Cleaning and Contamination Control
Once personal safety barriers are in place, focus shifts to managing the casualty’s injury to prevent infection at the wound site. When a wound is actively bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean or sterile dressing to control the hemorrhage while minimizing direct contact with the blood. This action stops blood loss and limits the spread of contamination.
Proper wound irrigation is the most effective way to clean a wound and reduce the bacterial load. For minor to moderate wounds, flush the area with a large amount of clean, running water or a sterile saline solution. The fluid washes away foreign debris, dirt, and surface bacteria from the wound bed.
Lay rescuers should not use harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or iodine for initial cleaning. These substances can damage healthy tissue and delay the natural healing process. The goal of irrigation is to mechanically remove contaminants without causing further harm. After thorough cleaning, apply a sterile dressing to seal the site and prevent recontamination.
Safe Disposal and Post-Aid Hygiene
The final stage of infection control involves the safe management of contaminated materials and mandatory personal hygiene. Proper removal of contaminated gloves is a specific technique designed to prevent the transfer of pathogens from the glove exterior to the rescuer’s bare skin. This is accomplished by using the “glove-in-glove” method.
The first glove is peeled off inside-out and held in the palm of the remaining gloved hand. The second glove is then peeled off inside-out over the first glove, ensuring the contaminated surfaces are contained within the resulting bundle. All biohazardous materials, including used gloves, blood-soaked dressings, and any material visibly soiled with body fluids, must be treated as infectious waste. These items should be placed into a leak-proof plastic bag, and ideally double-bagged, before being secured and disposed of according to local guidelines for biohazard waste.
If sharp objects, such as broken glass or needles, were involved, they must never be placed in a regular trash bag. Sharps should be handled with caution using tongs and deposited into a puncture-resistant container, such as a designated sharps container or heavy-duty plastic bottle, for safe disposal. The entire procedure must conclude with mandatory hand hygiene, which involves washing hands with soap and running water for a minimum of 20 seconds, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not immediately accessible.