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CASE 10: ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN A LUXURY HOTEL ROOM

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Case 10 Photos

 

An occupant attempted suicide with a knife beginning in the bedroom on the mattress continuing into the den and kitchen area and eventually collapsing in the bathroom.  The contamination (blood and body fluids) in the hotel suite was dispersed throughout the entire unit.  Two technicians performed decontamination work for a total of 4 work hours to remove the contamination.  

 

During this process, 2 individual sets of personal protective equipment, 5 quarts of disinfectants, and 6 quarts of biological indicator (H2O2) were consumed.  The blood affected material extends to portions of the room near the bed from the removal of bedding material and movement of the injured.  

 

Contamination continues to the bathroom and kitchen accumulating in the bathtub and across various surfaces (marble, carpet, cabinets, furniture).  

 

Gloves and all applicable personal protective equipment (PPE) has been provided to create a protective barrier in between the technician and the site environmental hazards, such as biological residue, in accordance with OSHA Standard Personal Protective Equipment 1910.132.  Mobilization of resources required for this type of project would take approximately 45-90 minutes based on familiarity with the process, easy access to required chemicals and equipment, in addition to, transporting these items to the scene.  

 

This time includes the removal of the personal protective equipment, the required tools, portable container with disinfectant solution, and corrugated regulated medical waste containers from the responding vehicle after arriving on scene.  It was of the utmost importance to be discreet in route to the room and cover the outside of the medical waste boxes with contractor bags.  

 

The personal protective equipment used on this biohazard remediation project was PureShield high risk gloves, plastic face shields, various respirators, and KleenGuard Ultra Bloodborne pathogen rated suits.  All of the towels in the bathroom and bedroom floor were affected by blood due to splatter or used as a temporary bandage.  These towels and the bedding were the major contributors to Regulated Medical Waste volume.  

 

Plastic-bristle scrub brushes were used to clean grout and uneven surfaces with disinfectant.  A face shield is required due to the risk of blood and solution splashing from the scrubbing bristles of the scrub brush.  Plastic water bottles were used as a sharps container for the knife used.  

 

All attempts were made to include all the supplies from the response vehicle in order to keep from leaving the room until the work was complete.  Security from the hotel had to escort the technicians from the response vehicle and back.  Review surfaces that are uneven in color very carefully.

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