Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. Even small mercury spills must be cleaned up properly. Here are some steps that can take deal with a broken thermometer. Staff instructions: • Call the Director of Nursing, Clinical Manager or the Agency Clinical Department and report the situation. Give your name, client name/number, your phone number, and a brief description of the spill. • If the mercury is exposed to any heat source turn off the heat source or separate it from the mercury. • Keep all persons, pets as far from the spill as possible. • If the mercury has spilled onto the floor, isolate or cordon off the area to keep others from stepping into the spilled mercury. • Do not use household cleaning products to clean the spill. Products that contain ammonia or chlorine are particularly hazardous. These chemicals will react with the mercury releasing a toxic gas. • Do not use a broom or paintbrush to clean up mercury. This will break the mercury into smaller beads, disperse it more readily, and make cleanup more difficult. • Do not use an ordinary vacuum or shop vacuum. This will disperse mercury vapor into the air and increase the likelihood of human exposure. • Those who may have come into contact with mercury should be directed to remove contaminated shoes or clothing, which should be placed in two bags, sealed and closed. Otherwise, mercury could be tracked around the building or home. The following are some common household articles that could be used to construct an in-home mercury cleanup kit: • Eyedropper - to pick up the mercury • Plastic container with lid - to hold the mercury • Tape (wide, duct, or masking) - to help pick up mercury beads • Plastic bags with zipper seal - to store mercury-contaminated debris and equipment • Rubber gloves- to protect hands from mercury contact • Syringe without needle- to pick up mercury • Trash bags- for containing mercury waste • Playing cards or index cards- for collecting mercury beads Pick Up All Visible Mercury Droplets Inspect the spill area with a bright light to help illuminate any hidden droplets. Clean up any beads of mercury by using an index card and plastic dustpan. With the card, gently push the mercury droplets away from any carpet, fabric, or porous surfaces and toward other droplets to combine them into larger droplets. Slide droplets onto a sheet of rigid paper such as an index card. Never use a broom or a vacuum on a mercury spill because it will only scatter the mercury droplets, making them harder to find and pick up. Gently Place Mercury Into an Unbreakable Plastic Container Home Health Agency Nursing Care & Procedures K-119