403.3R6 Communicable Diseases Special Procedure for Early Childhood and Special Classroom Settings

Code No.: 4O3.3R6

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES SPECIAL PROCEDURES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SPECIAL CLASSROOM SETTINGS

These procedures should be used for all students regardless of their infectious disease status.

A.  Guidelines for Diapering

1. Purpose: To avoid cross-contamination when diapering.
2. Equipment:
3. Changing table, student's own bed, cot, mat, or safe, firm, nonporous surface (clean and sanitized).
4. Readily accessible hand-washing facility, including hot and cold running water, liquid soap in workable dispenser and disposable paper towels.
5. Supplies for cleaning student's skin: disposable baby wipes, soap, water and cotton balls or soft tissue.
6. Plastic bags for student's soiled clothing.
7. Covered waste receptacle inaccessible to students lined with a disposable plastic bag for disposable diapers.
8. The use of cloth diapers is discouraged. However, if cloth diapers are used, a covered receptacle lined with a disposable plastic bag should be used for each student. Soiled cloth diapers should be stored in an area inaccessible to the students. 
9. Plastic bag ties or masking tape for sealing disposable plastic bags at time of discard.
10. Disposable plastic gloves (medium or large size, nonsterile) for use with cloth diapers.
11. Disinfectant for cleaning changing surface (See Selecting an Appropriate Disinfectant).

3.  Procedure:

1. Wash hands.
2. Place student on clean changing surface.
3. Remove soiled diaper and place in appropriate receptacle.
4. If other clothing is soiled, remove, rinse and place it directly in a plastic bag that can be marked with student's name, secured and sent home at the end of the day.
5. Cleanse the perineum and buttocks thoroughly with disposable baby wipes or soap and water.
6. Rinse well and dry skin prior to applying clean diaper.
7. After rinsing, place the cloth diaper in the appropriate receptacle.
8. Remove gloves and discard them in the appropriate receptacle.
9. Wash student's hands.
10. Wash hands.
11. Return student to class activity.
12. Report abnormal conditions to the appropriate supervisory employee or school nurse.
13. Use disinfectant to clean changing area and other contaminated surfaces (See section on Selecting an Appropriate Disinfectant).

B.  Guidelines for Classroom Cleanliness

Purpose: To prevent the transmission of infectious disease.

Equipment:

• Covered waste receptacles with disposable plastic bags.
• Plastic bags that can be labeled and sealed for individual's soiled laundry.
• Disposable plastic gloves (medium or large size, nonsterile) if needed.
• Disinfectant (See section on Selecting an Appropriate Disinfectant).
• Hand-washing facility, including hot and cold running water, liquid soap and .workable dispenser and disposable paper towels.
• Washer and dryer if disposable linens are not available.
• Dishwasher (if disposable eating utensils are not available).

3.  Procedure:

Wash hands.

If a lab coat or smock is worn:

1. Use a clean garment each day.
2. Always hang the garment right side out when leaving the work area for breaks or lunch.
3. If there are open cuts, abrasions, or weeping lesions on hands, wear disposable plastic gloves.
4. Use a new pair of gloves in each situation in which hand washing is indicated.
5. Discard used gloves in plastic bag in covered waste receptacle.
6. Store and handle clean clothing and linens separately from soiled clothing and linens.
7. Immediately place each student's soiled clothing and linens in an individually labeled plastic bag, an individually labeled plastic bag, which is to be sealed and sent home at the end of the day.
8. Immediately place all soiled school linens in a plastic bag in a covered waste receptacle. Launder linens daily.

C.  Techniques for Storing, Cleaning, and Disposing of Classroom Equipment, Supplies and Other Items

1. Immediately after use, discard any soiled disposable items by placing them in a plastic bag in a covered waste receptacle.
2. Store each student's personal grooming items (combs, brushes, toothbrushes) separately.
3. In handling disposable diapers, at least once a day, seal and discard the disposable plastic bag used to line the covered receptacle.
4. When laundry facilities are available at school, launder diapers, sheets or other cloth items daily.
5. Launder diapers or other items soaked with body fluids separately.
6. Presoak heavily soiled items.
7. Follow the manufacturer's directions on the label to determine the amount of detergent to be added.
8. If the material is bleachable, add 1/2 cup of household bleach to the wash cycle.
9.  If the material is not colorfast, add 1/2 cup nonclorox bleach(e.g., Chlorax II, Borateam, etc.) to wash cycle.
10. fUse hot cycle o~ washer and dryer.
11. Seal and discard the soiled plastic bag used to line the covered waste receptacle at least once a day.
12. Establish a routine cleaning and disinfecting schedule.
13. Clean protective floor pads, bolsters, wedges, and so forth after each nonambulatory student has been
14. Removed at the end of each day.
15. Wash all toys with soap and water and rinse thoroughly as needed and at the end of each day.
16. Clean all equipment at the end of each day.
17. If a rug or carpet becomes soiled, clean it immediately (as described in Procedures for Cleaning Up Body Fluid Spills, C).
18. Clean changing surface, bathtubs, sinks, portable potties, and toilet seats after each use. Rinse with clear water and wipe dry.

Approved 9-13-93        Reviewed 5-15-2023        Revised  6-17-2019