Emergency Preparedness

Kern Medical Bioterrorism Response Guide Section 2-C-2 – Viral Hemorrhagic Fever

linen. As an alternative, linen should be autoclaved prior to transport toa commercial laundry service. Patient’s Clothing Bag patient’s clothing if visibly soiled with blood or body fluids and send home with a family member with instructions to use warm water and a commercial laundry product. If no family member is available , follow the facility procedure for washing and drying patient’s clothes. Before washing or sending the patient's clothes home, determine whether the FBI wants to retain the clothes as evidence. Biohazard Waste Disposable waste should be placed in receptacles lined with red biohazard bags. When removed from the room biohazard waste should be placed in a second red bag and secured. Biohazard waste should be removed in a covered cart to a designated biohazard waste holding area. Infection control practitioners should consult with the contracted waste hauler for special instructions, if any, on removing and transporting biohazardous waste. As an alternative, biohazardous waste can be autoclaved. Deceased Patient Place the deceased patient in leak-proof body bag and transfer to the facility morgue. The body should not be embalmed. If an autopsy is requested, the California Department of Health Services should be notified.

1