LAUSR

Background Black water flooding and other biological spills occur not too infrequently in the healthcare setting. Our first responders from engineering and environmental services teams often do not have immediate access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and other environmental supplies to prevent bodily exposures and contain the spread of contamination to the rest of the facility. Methods The Infection Prevention, Engineering, and Environmental Services Teams met to create a GRAB-AND-GO SPILL KIT BUNDLE. The team looked at existing resources at the Supply Chain Department that will meet PPE needs, namely: masks with eye protection, long nitrile gloves, long boot covers, waterproof and disposable coveralls, and tubs of bleach wipes. To contain the fluid spill, the following were purchased: three wet high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuums, capable of trapping 99.7 percent of airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns when suctioning contaminated fluid, marine-grade fluid containment booms, and large absorbent pads. The last two replaced towels and linens for containing the spread of contaminated fluid. A cleanable rubber walk-off mat was added to serve as a neutral zone between the clean and contaminated areas of the flood or spill site. A list of supply inventory was included to the kit to establish maintenance par levels. Results Three units of the GRAB-AND-GO SPILL KIT were created to address the following: speedy and efficient response to the black water flooding or spills, protection of first responders from biological contamination and exposures, and containment of contaminated fluid and wastes from spreading to the rest of the facility. Conclusions First responders need immediate access to supplies to contain black water flooding and spills in the healthcare setting. This was achieved through a bundled approach, the handy GRAB-AND-GO KITS made it possible to protect both the first responders and the healthcare environment from biological exposures and contamination, respectively.