NCJ Number
133691
Date Published
1987
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Guidelines developed by the Baltimore County, Maryland, Police Department indicate how to handle people and materials contaminated with or suspected of being contaminated with a communicable disease.
Abstract
The policy of the Baltimore County Police Department is to safeguard department employees and the public who come in contact with persons who have a communicable disease without sacrificing essential services to the community or individual citizens. An exposure to communicable diseases occurs when a person's blood or body fluids transfer to another person's blood stream. This can happen in three ways: needle sticks; human bites or openings in the skin; and splashes into the eyes, nose, or mouth. The mere handling of an arrestee during the arrest process or during subsequent detention does not constitute an exposure. Procedures are outlined for reporting by employees who believe they have been exposed to an infectious disease and for conducting blood tests. Infection control procedures are also noted with respect to the detention of persons with communicable diseases, evidence handling, decontamination and cleanup, and the disposal of contaminated items. Communicable disease information resources in Baltimore County are listed.