getting bodily fluids on scrubs

Nurses General Nursing

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I am quite a nervous person, especially when it comes to bodily fluids. I believe I got urine on my pant leg when I was cleaning a patient up and I freaked out internally... Is it okay to walk around with a small amount of urine on your scrubs until you go home? Or should you change right away? I used chlorhexidine wipes to clean off my leg, but I honestly am not even 100% any got on me, it just felt wet. I just don't know if it was  best for me to change out of them or not since it was such a small amount.. Do you guys personally change only if you got soaked or even with a tiny amount?

I have anxiety and this doesn't help that I freak out so much.

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Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.

I don't worry about it really, I might get a wet towel and dab at it.  But I think if you want to change that's fine, or silver scrubs dry so fast you can even take off the pants and wash that spot with soap and water, blot dry and put back on.  It'll dry in an hour or so.  

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Specializes in retired LTC.

You can always have spare uniform pieces in your car/locker. Just remember if you change early in the shift and then have another splash, you're out of replacements. Best to carry multiples.

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Specializes in ED, med-surg, peri op.

A tiny splash of urine, vomit, or even blood no I wouldn’t change. Quick dab clean.  Poo is a different story though!!

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Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

Probably best to keep a spare uniform in your locker or bag since your issue is unlikely to go away. Other than that, I've gotten urine on my pant legs and blood all over my shoes. Simply cleaned it cavi wipes and trugged along. I'm positive I've had all other bodily fluids on my scrubs but just can't see it (I wear dark colors). 

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I get a few paper towels with soap and saturate the area with soapy water. Then I let it dry.

I think I've only had to change clothes one time, and I used OR scrubs that the hospital supplied. I don't remember the exact circumstances with regard to what actually got on me.

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Specializes in Peds ED.

A little splash I don’t worry about, if I’m majorly soaked we can request scrubs from the OR but if that’s not an option at your facility bringing a spare set is a good idea.

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Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.

I ended up delivering a baby that came PDQ (no time to put on a gown) and got soaked with amniotic fluid.  Luckily I got clean scrubs from the hospital and had socks in my locker but had to go commando for my underwear and bra for half a shift.  Ugh. Don't forget clean underwear and socks!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

It depends on the patient... 

peds nurse here.. when I have an infant who spits up a tiny bit on me I just wipe it down. Or if I’m holding them and a tiny bit of pee leaks thru the diaper, I’ll just wipe it down. 
when I have an almost adult patient that vomits or pees on me I burn my scrubs. 
hope that helps. 
 

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Specializes in retired LTC.
9 hours ago, Nunya said:

I ended up delivering a baby that came PDQ (no time to put on a gown) and got soaked with amniotic fluid.  Luckily I got clean scrubs from the hospital and had socks in my locker but had to go commando for my underwear and bra for half a shift.  Ugh. Don't forget clean underwear and socks!!

Nunya, good point!

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Specializes in nursing ethics.

If you can smell it, change it.

If it looks like pee or blood, change it. Neatness always matters.

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Sami, the main problem is your anxiety. The fact is.. we get bodily fluids on us all the time. Your skin is the first line of defense. Unless these fluids get in your mouth, nose or eyes.. you will be okay. Please consult with your infectious disease nurse and get some relief of your anxiety. 

I was at the bedside for 30 years... never caught anything through skin exposure.

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