Biohazardous waste demands a different disposal process than other items you might throw in the trash, like discarded food. Any object suffused with blood, bodily fluids or pathological materials must be processed in accordance to state regulations, lest they damage the environment, harm human beings or spread infectious diseases. While regulations vary state-to-state, they invariably result in enormous fines—and even prison time in some cases. Though severe, these penalties are designed to stymie an ongoing problem. Agencies like the World Health Organization regularly highlight the costs of improper medical waste disposal, like the inundation of contaminated syringes in low-income nations. A person who suffers an injury from an incorrectly disposed syringe, according to the agency, has a 30 percent chance of developing HBV from an infected source patient. Incorrect disposal methods can also contaminate a city’s water supply, pollute the air with toxins and injure landfill workers. Because of the dangers of improper biohazard disposal, you should be aware of the precautionary techniques that professional cleanup technicians follow to responsibly remove infectious waste.
First, it’s helpful to define biohazard waste and the materials that constitute it. Simply put, biohazard waste is trash that has the potential to transmit a disease. Because the phrase carries such a broad definition, it is generally divided into five subcategories that require separate cleanup procedures. They are outlined here:
1) Sharps
Any biohazard that can puncture the skin adopts the rather colloquial designation “sharps.” Used syringes, knives, scalpels, broken glass and microscope slides fit under this definition. Among the various categories of biohazard waste, sharps should be approached with the most caution. Someone who hasn’t been formally trained in biohazard cleanup can easily cut themselves if they aren’t careful, which will surely result in a trip to the hospital. According to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, biohazardous sharps must immediately be disposed of in a properly labeled biohazardous sharps container. As their name implies, these containers have been specially designed to collect sharps in a safe and simplistic manner. You can purchase sharps containers online, but you should only do so if you’re planning to transport the waste to a proper disposal site. These supervised collection sites include hospitals, pharmacies, universities, police stations, health departments, fire stations and doctor’s offices.
2) Solid Waste (Non-Sharp)
Solid, non-sharp objects contaminated with blood, bodily fluids or other potentially infectious materials fall under this category. They include medical gloves, used gauze, linens, towels, plastics, non-glass containers and other personal protective equipment. If the object can splinter or break apart (i.e. glassware), it should be treated as a “sharp.” All solids should be stored in a thick, leakproof container fitted with a lid. Make sure your container is properly labeled and lined with a biohazard disposal bag. You can find biohazard waste containers online, but from here, you must contact a certified medical waste disposal contractor for pickup. They will proceed to sterilize the contents of the container and dispose of the materials in accordance with state law.
3) Liquid Waste
Liquids such as blood, saliva, semen, breast milk, biological culture mediums and other blood products qualify under this category. Like with solid waste, these fluids must be stored in a properly labeled, leakproof container. The University of Tennessee in Knoxville recommends placing the container in a larger receptacle for safety. You can disinfect the product by adding bleach proportionate to 10 percent of the container’s entire volume, but we recommend that you call a certified medical waste disposal contractor if you are untrained in this procedure. Refrain from disposing the product down the sink or dumping it somewhere outside your home. Even if the solution has been diluted, you will risk damaging the environment and subjecting others to harmful pathogens.
4) Pathological Waste
Pathological materials include human and animal tissues, organs and body parts (teeth are an exception). We recommend that you immediately contact a licensed medical waste disposal contractor if you come across one of these items. Proper storage procedures involve placing the waste into two properly labeled leakproof biohazard bags. When transported, these bags should be contained in a secondary storage unit—a tray or plastic container—for additional security. Disposal teams will usually incinerate the items.
5) Microbiological Waste
Unless you’re a medical professional, you are least likely to encounter microbiological waste. It’s almost always found in laboratories, and includes items used to handle biological cultures—such as dishes, mixing devices and other tools. Laboratory personnel generally handle waste disposal on site. If you encounter any of these items, contact a certified medical waste disposal contractor immediately.
Bio-One’s certified technicians frequently work with clients to remove biohazardous materials safely, courteously and privately. Please contact us if you have any questions. We’re available every hour of the day.
You’ve probably seen grey lockboxes with biohazard stickers mounted to walls in pharmacies and libraries and wondered what they are. These containers have been implemented in public institutions to contain sharps waste, a dangerous kind of medical refuse. Referred to colloquially as “sharps” in the health care industry, this category of infectious waste includes anything that can pierce the skin. Needles, knives, scalpels, broken glass, lancets and razors are included under this definition. As are syringes, which tend to feature in the most publicized examples of sharps mismanagement. For instance, CBS News reported that officials in San Francisco collected 13,000 used syringes off the streets in March 2017. While these numbers were certainly amplified by the opioid crisis, this extreme example illustrates why everyone must take precautions to ensure that discarded needles are properly disposed of. Moreover, it underscores the fact that this is a ubiquitous and contemporary issue in the US. What makes sharps so dangerous is that they’re almost always contaminated with someone else’s body fluids. When the instrument pierces another person’s skin, it can easily transmit bloodborne pathogens like HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. To suppress the spread of disease, you’ll need to know how to dispose of sharps properly.
Allowing a trained medical professional to handle sharps is ideal. But some situations may require you to dispose of them yourself. If you need to pick one up off the ground, be sure you’re wearing thick, puncture resistant gloves and that you’re walking slowly. Point the tip away from your body and from others, and dispose of the item in a secure sharps container as quickly as possible. Regulated by the FDA, these containers are distinct for their red, puncture proof exterior and clear top. They are also marked by the internationally recognized biohazard symbol, which looks like three rings pinned together concentrically by a nail. You will find these at a number of disposal sites in your state. They include hospitals, some libraries, pharmacies, universities, police stations, health departments, fire stations and doctor’s offices. Wall mounted sharps containers come in red and grey, and look like lockboxes. If you are unsure, an official collection box will always carry the biohazard symbol.
Often times you’ll need to transport the item to one of these disposal sites. Placing sharps in a puncture proof, leak proof container is required to avoid an accident. While the vessel can be something mundane, like a bleach container, be sure to mark it as hazardous for additional safety. Although this process is inconvenient, the law mandates that you dispose of sharps at a collection site. So make sure you never throw them in the trash or flush them down the toilet. Doing so puts trash collectors, landfill operators, sewage workers, children and other household members at risk. Do not place sharps in a container that is overflowing, and never try to force them inside. If you are stuck with a sharp, wash the wound with soap and water, and seek immediate medical attention.
Bio-One transports and disposes of medical waste daily. Contact us if have any questions about sharps management. We’re available to help 24/7/365.
A recent outbreak of MRSA at University of Pittsburgh’s Medical Center Children’s Hospital had people talking about the infection’s scariest attribute: It’s resistance to antibiotics. This tenacious staph infection affected 12 people in the intensive care unit—six of them babies—raising concerns about the bacteria’s contagiousness and apparent invulnerability. Fortunately, the disease can be treated, though it may be difficult to do depending on the location of the infection on the patient’s body. Here, we’ll break down what MRSA is, the symptoms you should be looking out for, and how to prevent it.
MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is a highly contagious staph bacteria that infects the skin and resists numerous antibiotics—including methicillin, which once successfully treated staph infections. In the past, doctors over-prescribed penicillin-related antibiotics like methicillin, allowing the bacteria to develop a heightened tolerance for them. Now treatment typically involves drainage of the infected area, culture testing of pus from the wound and stronger antibiotics. Though the infection is relatively uncommon—94,000 Americans are affected each year, and 19,000 die—two out of 100 people carry MRSA, according to the CDC. The bacteria do not usually cause a serious infection in carriers, but it can develop in others if it enters their bloodstream.
Symptoms arise when a red, swollen abscess appears on the body. It tends to look volcanic, with a white bump appearing between an area of reddened skin. Touching it will cause pain, but if you suspect you have the infection, gently feel the abscess to check if its emanating heat. If it is, you’re likely affected by a bacterial strain of some kind, and should seek a doctor for consultation. Pus and other drainage will likely ooze out of the affected area, and you’re likely to develop a fever. Although these symptoms are associated with MRSA, recognizing them on your body does not necessarily mean you have developed this specific infection. Only a doctor can make that distinction. While you don’t need to make a trip to the emergency room, you’ll want to make an appointment quickly. If left to fester, MRSA will infect the matter beneath the wound, which can result in a life-threatening situation. You will need to cover the abscess immediately, however. The bacteria will spread to every surface is touches, raising the chances that you will infect someone else.
Though MRSA is highly contagious, prevention is relatively easy. Washing your hands thoroughly—especially after hospital visits—will deter the infection almost entirely. Make sure you scrub them for 15 seconds and you use soap. Hand disinfectr brands with an alcohol content of at least 60 percent will also help you kill the bacteria. Of course, you’ll also need to cover up open wounds. A clean bandage will do, but make sure you change them regularly. While these instructions seem obvious, it is critical that you follow them because of how effective MRSA is at sticking to surfaces for lengthy periods of time. Depending on the type of material, the bacteria will remain for several days, weeks and even months. Washing your hands and covering your wounds will do much to quell the spread of the infection. You should also avoid sharing personal items like towels, razors, clothing and cosmetics. Because MRSA abscesses will spread germs to any item it touches, the bacteria will enter your bloodstream through open wounds and orifices if you are not careful.
Bio-One is happy to answer any questions you have about preventing the spread of MRSA. Our phone lines are open 24/7/365.
Why Do It Yourself Cleaning
Isn't Good Enough
July 28, 2019 by David Scott
After the tragic mass shooting that took place in Virginia Beach that took place on May 31, 2019, the City paid a company $500,000 to clean up the aftermath of the incident that left 13 dead and 4 wounded.
While that staggering amount is a reminder of how horrific that shooting was, even a much smaller event requires professional cleaning services.
If a suicide, unattended death, or other tragedy takes place in your home, you may have the urge to start cleaning as soon as possible. You might even think that the space that needs cleaning isn’t in bad enough condition to require a professional clean up company—but you’d be wrong.
The goal in this type of cleaning is to remove all biohazard materials, and that’s extremely difficult to accomplish with DIY cleaning. Body fluids and other matter can be difficult to see or can be hidden under flooring or in cracks and crevices.
While an untrained person could easily leave such matter behind, highly trained extreme cleaners will remove it all safely and thoroughly.
Speaking of safety, coming into contact with blood and other body fluids is a concern when considering a DIY cleanup. Just wearing a pair of rubber gloves isn’t enough to protect you from infection, hepatitis, and other blood borne illnesses.
Biohazard cleanup specialists don’t wear special suits because they think they look great in yellow; it’s because that’s what’s require to avoid contact with potentially dangerous fluids.
Instead of taking chances with your safety and possibly leaving biohazard material behind, choose a qualified extreme cleaning company with the knowledge and experience to complete the job thoroughly and safely.
Bio-One is the Tucson area’s trusted choice for all types of extreme cleaning services. Benefits of working with us include:
· We work with all major home insurance companies.
· Insurance covers 95% of the work we do.
· Our team provides compassionate, non-judgmental, and discreet services.
· We offer competitive prices.
· You can reach the owner directly 24/7.
· We have the proper training, licenses, insurance to handle biohazard materials.
We hope you’ll never need our services, but we’re here for you if you do. Call Bio-One today at 520-771-5960 to learn more or fill out our online contact form now to get in touch.
How to Help an Elderly or Shut-In Neighbor
July 22, 2019 by DAVID SCOTT
When the stories hit the paper about a person dying and not being found for weeks or even months, many people wonder how that could happen. Unfortunately, it’s more common that you might think.
Elderly people and those who live alone without a local support system may not be soon missed. A quick Google search for something like “shut-ins in Tucson” gives you a glimpse into the scope of the problem as many organizations are dedicated to bringing food to, spending holidays with, and checking on those who may have no one else.
At Bio-One, we receive more calls than we’d like about unattended deaths. It’s always sad to think of someone dying alone, but is there anything we can do to prevent it and to ensure that someone notices when these valuable members of our society are missing?
This problem is an example of one that is best solved on an individual level.
If everyone who had an elderly neighbor who lived alone took just a few minutes each day to check on them, it would safeguard against no one noticing if they were missing for weeks.
Here are some ways you can help your neighbors who are elderly or shut-ins:
· Make friends with your neighbor and let them know you’re available to run to the grocery store. Of course, you have your own life to live, but offer to pick up some things for her when you make your normal grocery run.
· Once a friendship is established, ask if they’d mind if you called once or twice a day just to see if they’re doing OK. A quick two or three minute call will not only allow you to make sure your neighbor is OK, but will help them feel connected to the outside world—and that’s a bigger deal than you might think.
· Keep it light and happy when you’re around them. This is your chance to be a bright spot in the life of someone who needs it—and you should never miss such a chance.
· If possible, invite them to share a meal on significant holidays and try to learn their birthday so you can acknowledge it in some small way.
· If you’re unable to reach your neighbor during one of your regular phone calls, go to her house to check on her. If she doesn’t answer the door, call the police to do a wellness check.
Those are just a few examples of the ways that giving just a little of your time can make a huge difference in the lives of others and prevent the scenes that Bio-One is called upon to cleanup far too often.
If you have need of extreme cleaning services, contact us for more information or to schedule a free consultation.
Animal Hoarding:
Companions to prisoners in their own home
July 19, 2019 by David Scott
Most people grow up understanding the significance of having a furry, loving companion to play with when you and your siblings weren’t getting along. Your childhood pet probably provided recollections that can’t be replaced. These fond memories often pour into adult lives as we choose new pets to replace the ones we’ve lost. You may find yourself making a home for numerous animals so that each person in your home can have their very own pet. If this doesn’t describe you, you can probably imagine a friend’s home you visit where you are met with three excited dogs while a couple cats sit on the back of the couch.
While some people have more pets than others would prefer, this is not completely abnormal. However, this can become an issue for the owner, as well as the pets, when there are more animals than the owner can properly care for. Animal hoarding is a real, and all too common, problem that may occur gradually. It may begin with the saving of a few strays. The next thing you know there are 10-15 dogs ruining a home with destruction, feces, urine, and the owner finds themselves unable to physically or financially care for them.
People who hoard animals clearly believe they are helping these animals by saving them from a bad situation where they were unloved. They typically take in strays, though sometimes purchase the animals, adopted them or even steal them from other people’s yards. Animals collected may range in species from cats and dogs to reptiles, rodents, birds and even farm animals.
These individuals often give all of their affection to their animals. In doing so, they are shutting out the humans in their lives. This leads to their social isolation, followed by the need to acquire more animals, and the endless downward spiral is formed. Characteristics of a person who is hoarding animals may include:
· Having numerous animals and may not know the total number of animals in their care.
· Often blind to the fact that their animals are suffering
· Deny their inability to care for the animals
· Isolates themselves from the community and appears to neglect their own health
Even though an animal hoarder may appear to love their “pets”, once the situation gets out of control, the home dwelling becomes a bio-hazard. Lack of sanitation endangers the health of the animals and their caretakers. Some physical signs of animal hoarding may include the following situations:
· Pets become injured, diseased, malnourished and un-socialized, which leads to fights with each other and their owners
· Their home is deteriorated (dirty windows, broken furniture, holes in wall and floor, extreme clutter and filth)
· There is a strong smell of ammonia, and floors may be covered with dried feces, urine and vomit
· Animals are scrawny, sluggish and not well socialized
· Fleas and vermin are present
Each year, over 250,000 animals are victims of hoarders. Animal hoarders range in age, and can be men or women of any race or ethnic group. They often have an unusually high tolerance for poor hygiene and a mistaken sense of their caretaking abilities. Elderly people may be more at risk, due to their own deteriorating health and isolation from the community.
While animal hoarding is usually a sign of an untreated mental health disorder a specific root cause remains a mystery. Experts suggest that experiences during a person’s childhood could be a main cause. Perhaps there was an absent, abusive or inconsistent relationship with the primary caregiver. This can lead to a difficulty in forming connections with other people. Animals, in turn, wind up becoming a substitute for human companionship.
When someone hoards inanimate objects, mental health professionals tell us that this is a type of Obsessive-Compulsive disorder. The person may obsess over the thought of something terrible happening as soon as they get rid of a certain object. They will preserve the object to reduce that stress and the obsessive thoughts may fade away. But the motivation to hoard animals may arise for different reasons.
These reasons often include an uncontrollable urge to “rescue” animals or caring for animals that no one else wants. This may stem from childhood neglect. The person usually starts out as a typical pet owner. As they care for their pets, and receive unconditional love from these animals they begin taking in a few more animals at a time. Before they know it, the home is filled with 30 or 40 animals. These people often have good intentions, but it eventually gets out of hand.
Some research suggests that collecting animals points toward attachment disorders and depression or other mental illnesses. Some animal hoarders began collecting after a traumatic event or loss. Other research suggests that animal hoarding can be related to addictive behavior.
Animal hoarding has consequences for the person who is hoarding, their family, their neighborhood, and the welfare of the animals as well. The hoarder will argue strongly about how much they love the animals, but in most cases the animals are actually suffering.
Because of the mental disconnect these individuals may have from reality, it is important for friends and family to approach the situation delicately. Try to express your genuine concern for the person’s health and safety. As draining as the situation may be, try not to yell at the person who is hoarding. Your anger will only cause them to become more stubborn in their position. Remember, the person is blind to the real condition of their animals. Sometimes it can help to take photos and show them to the owner after you get them to a different location from their home. This may allow them to see the reality of the situation.
Hoarded animals are usually injured, diseased, malnourished and un-socialized. You can contact your local animal control department if you suspect an animal hoarder in your community but also reach out to social service groups like a department of aging, a health department or a mental health agency.
Cleaning out an animal hoarder’s home is overwhelming and even dangerous. It’s best to hire professional help for a hoarding cleanup. Bio-One is a team of trusted Tucson hoarding cleanup specialists. Our compassionate, professional team has helped many people reclaim their homes from this condition.
Rather than showing up with shovels to empty out the home, we work closely with the homeowner and the family from start to finish. The Bio-One team is committed to making our clients feel safe and comfortable throughout the process.
You trust your loved one’s treatment to the mental professionals, so trust the hoarding cleanup to the experienced professionals as well.
Contact Bio-One today at 520-771-5960 or www.BioOneTucson.com for more information about our comprehensive cleanup services and to schedule a no-obligation consultation and accurate cost estimate.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
Not many people know that biohazard cleanup companies like Bio-One exist. Clients turn to us during moments of crisis in their lives, and hence, don’t usually discover who we are until they require a service. This lack of awareness is understandable. People don’t expect awful tragedies like homicide and suicide to affect their families. But the resulting unfamiliarity can generate mystique around our role here at Bio-One. It’s true that we specialize in crime scene cleanup and decontamination services. We also remove clutter in hoarding situations, eradicate stubborn odors and disinfect property tarnished by animal waste. But in our view, the role of Bio-One is more involved than that. We are here to help you during your time of greatest need. So we treat our jobs like first responders do, prioritizing the people in our communities when they need us most.
That’s why we’re always on stand-by. If you need to reach out to us, our phone lines are always open, no matter what time of the day it is. When you give us a call, we’ll immediately connect your request to the nearest team of cleanup technicians so that they can proceed in assisting you. Why does our perpetual availability matter to us? Because we never want someone to feel like they must confront a painful and daunting situation by themselves. We’re always ready to step in so you can focus on healing.
But consistency is not enough. For our clients, the road to recovery requires a rapid response on our part. We share your sense of urgency and understand that you need your property restored promptly. Our teams strive to arrive on site within an hour. In most situations, we don't collect payment until after a job has been completed. It’s the least we can do to ensure your needs are met first and foremost. That’s why our company motto is “help first, business second.” We prioritize your well-being over our bottom-line. When prices are discussed, you’ll notice that 95 percent of the work we do is covered by insurers. This coverage makes us one of the most affordable cleanup crews in town.
We also pride ourselves on being the most compassionate company in the industry. When you contact Bio-One, we are duty-bound to protect your privacy and provide you with superior customer service. We’ll arrive on site in unmarked vans to keep the job discrete. Moreover, our decontamination teams are trained to help you through a difficult situation. Not only will the service we provide be efficient and effective, it will be conducted in a manner that’s respectful of you, your family and your home. Your satisfaction is our guarantee.
Bio-One is also here to keep you safe. Biohazardous materials that are not properly disinfected create significant health risks. They are also dangerous to clean up, requiring specialized equipment designed to protect the user from unwanted viruses, noxious fumes and physical hazards. Proper sanitation requires an exhaustive process that only the professionals are qualified to handle. We dispose of biohazardous materials in accordance with state law to protect people and the environment from harmful toxins. You also don’t want to clean up the aftermath of a suicide or homicide yourself. Doing so will surely intensify your emotional trauma, making it more difficult to recover. Our disinfection process eliminates tenacious viruses safely and comprehensively, restoring both your property and your peace of mind.
We consider ourselves part of the communities we serve, so please reach out with any questions about biohazard safety, suicide prevention and more. We are here to help in every way that we can.
For firefighters and police officers, a regular day at work can involve daily close encounters with danger, chaos and tragedy. These courageous men and women understand their job includes saving the lives of others, and at times that life may be too far gone to save. They understand a normal traffic stop may turn into the end of their watch forever. They understand that when they leave their family to begin their shift, they risk never coming home. Regardless, they bravely gear up and take on every call, prepared to give their citizens what they need rather it be to save, arrest, counsel, or protect. Nevertheless; they are always prepared for the worse.
First responders are the ones familiar with situations such as:
· the deceased infant whose mother simply got sick of hearing her cry
· the guy hyped up on PCP who kicks out the back window of the squad car
· the active shooter in the Target parking lot
· the fatal accident leaving one child alive with no parents
Over time, exposure to such stress can take a toll on the mental health of these first responders. The memories often creep back up into their thoughts, even when everything seems fine on the outside. Talking about their day to loved ones isn’t usually on their top list of things to do. If you have a loved one who is a first responder, they might tell you about a bad call they had. Though, they probably will not include the detail of terror that was involved and what it is doing to them.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may result from some of these situation, with symptoms including:
· Flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive memories
· Emotional numbness
· Extreme worry, guilt, anger or hopelessness
· Avoidance of people, places or things that are reminders of the trauma
· A loss of interest in things that once gave pleasure
· Feeling anxious, on edge or jumpy, and easily angered
· Sleep issues
· Problems with alcohol or drugs
· Suicidal thoughts
When a first responder experiences a traumatic event beyond the range of a typical human experience, they may feel threatened or have feelings of helplessness, fear, or loathing. Although it can feel overwhelming, PTSD is treatable.
It isn’t easy for a person who is supposed to be the hero to just let their guard down and open up about feelings. These individuals understand that trauma is part of their job and they don’t want to admit to others (or themselves) that they are having difficulty with the feelings that arise from doing their job. It may not be an easy process, but it is a necessary one.
According to a University of Phoenix survey from 2017, 85% of first responders have experienced symptoms related to mental health issues. Of those surveyed, 10% were diagnosed with PTSD. Though, the problem goes beyond PTSD, especially when no treatment is sought. Approximately 1 in 4 police officers reported having thought about committing suicide at some point in their life. In 2017, an estimated 103 firefighters and 140 police officers took their own lives.
Certain factors have been found to aid the recovery of PTSD. These actions reinforce feelings of support, hope and sense of control. Some of these include:
· Peer and community support: Strong emotional connections in the community and a feeling of belonging can help prevent PTSD. Group discussions among peers who have experienced the same symptoms can help build a support group within the department.
· Stress management and therapy: Positive coping strategies learned through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help first responders gain resilience against traumatic experiences and treat symptoms of trauma.
Some departments may be equipped with an onsite psychologist. If this is not the case, there are many treatment facilities around the country who have PTSD specialists.
First responders choose their profession for the same reason everyone else does. It is a career that makes them feel like they are making a difference or it simply makes them happy to do something they love! Though it is rare for a Real Estate Agent be asked about the details of their job at a dinner party. But for first responders, it never fails. It starts with “This is my friend, he’s a firefighter”. It seems like an innocent introduction and the friend means no harm, of course. Though that introduction is always followed with the question; “What’s the worst call you’ve ever been on?” or “What’s the worst thing you’ve seen on the job?”
Rather you are the person asking or the first responder on the other end of the inquiry, these types of questions can cause damage to the hard mental work someone has done to heal from this event. “Worst days” will be more than the copier eating an original legal document or your co-workers leaving a disgusting mess in the breakroom. First responders are exposed to disturbing or traumatic events nearly every day during the course of their jobs. As a result, mental health issues are more common among first responders than individuals in most other professions.
It is a better tactic to ask a first responder about the funniest call they’ve been on, rather than the most traumatic one. That usually provides you with the better story anyway. If you are the firefighter or police officer, the next time someone asks you about your worst day on the job, don’t feel bad about telling them that you’ve seen a lot of worst days and you’d rather not talk about them.
While it’s both cliché and truth to say that police officers and firefighters loathe admitting weakness. They’re used to being the ones that solve problems rather than admit that they have them. But accepting help or attending therapy should not be considered a weakness in this situation. It should be seen as high-level training!
Do emergency personnel not maintain their vehicles, equipment and weapons? Of course! While it is part of their job, they even maintain their firearms training, hand to hand combat skills, medical certifications and more. Yet fire and police stations leave the most important tool unattended: their mental health. Maintaining positive mental health is essential to the performance of these jobs. Attending therapy or treatment shouldn’t be viewed as a flaw. It may save lives.
Bio-One is here to Help First, Business Second
When you request a service, our team focuses on accomplishing one goal: helping you. That’s why our professional technicians are on standby 24/7, every day of the year. We have the experience, training and licensing to get the job done efficiently, and can generally reach the scene within an hour. After we’ve made sure that you’re safe and the site does not pose a hazard to others, we’ll talk business. Because at Bio-One, we understand that compassion and expediency are requisites for helping you overcome a challenging situation. Our motto, “Help First, Business Second,” is a promise to you and an obligation for us. It’s indispensable to our aim of providing you with the best service the industry has to offer.
Blood spills are more dangerous than you may realize. Depending on the size of the spill, they can carry hundreds of trillions of viruses, some of which may be infectious. Spread through open wounds, sores and other orifices (i.e. eyes, nose, mouth), these disease-carrying microorganisms—or pathogens—can cause severe illness or death if left untreated. Though the risk of infection depends on the volume of blood involved and the pervasiveness of the virus, it is prudent to consider how to protect yourself against different types of bloodborne viruses. Although they are easily preventable, contracting one demands urgency. As their name suggests, these pathogens travel through the bloodstream infecting host cells and disrupting the body’s biological machinery. As the virus multiplies, cells will die or function improperly, leading to distressing side effects. Here are some of the most common bloodborne infection you should be aware of:
Hepatitis A—Hepatitis A infects the liver. Though the virus commonly comes from food and water contaminated by feces, it can be transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids, such as semen, breast milk and saliva. It is extremely contagious, but given the availability of effective vaccines, most people are able to make a full recovery.
Hepatitis B—Hepatitis B is another highly contagious and severe liver infection that can be spread through blood and bodily fluids. Young people—particularly infants—are more at risk of developing a chronic infection than adults, which can lead to long-term side effects, liver failure and cancer. People infected with acute—or short-termed—hepatitis B are most likely to make a full recovery.
Hepatitis C— This viral liver infection is transmitted blood-to-blood and usually results in a chronic illness. Though hepatitis C is curable today, more than half of those infected are unaware that they have the disease. Unlike hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine. Treatment involves 12 weeks of oral medication.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)—HIV destroys cells that combat infections. If untreated, it will progress until the infected person contracts AIDS—the final stage of the disease. Spread through unprotected sex, exposure to blood and shared hygiene instruments, HIV affects 1.1 million people today. An effective cure has yet to be developed.
How to protect yourself—The safest way to protect yourself from bloodborne pathogens is by avoiding blood spills and practicing safe, protected sex. Refrain from sharing razors, needles and toothbrushes as well, which may carry traces of blood from someone else. Smaller blood spills—such as those caused by nose bleeds or minor head injuries—can generally be disinfectd safely at home through tight gloves and protective eyewear.
But you’re going to want to contact the professionals for anything larger. Allowing trained specialists to do the work protects you from accidental blood exposure and ensures that your property is thoroughly disinfected. Bio-One hires certified technicians to comprehensively and efficiently clean biohazardous blood spills. Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions or concerns. We’re always available to assist you.
When a loved one commits suicide it’s fair to assume that first responders will decontaminate the scene. But they don’t, creating yet another dilemma for families who are freshly traumatized by a sudden and devastating loss. Driven to remove the memory from your home as quickly as possible, your first impulse may be to clean the space yourself. But there are several reasons why you shouldn’t take on this burden.
For one, suicide cleanup is a traumatic and overwhelming experience of its own. Although you may think you can push through this task by suppressing your emotions, you’re at risk of developing PTSD and prolonging your grief. It's best to avoid the scene and leave this process to the professionals.
Additionally, you may be subject to harmful diseases if you don’t clean up the scene properly. Pathogens linger long after a surface has been scrubbed, leaving you and your family at risk of developing bloodborne infections like Hepatitis C and HIV if your cleaning process has not been thorough enough. Certified specialists in biohazard remediation are the only people qualified to perform this intensive work. Let them restore your home with the assurance that it will be sanitary.
Bio-One is here to help in this regard. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need assistance. We’re on standby 24/7, every day of the year, and are always available to answer any questions you might have.
