Blood Policy

BASKETBALL BLOOD POLICY

This policy has been issued by Basketball Australia as a best practice guide at all levels of competition.

Referees need to be aware and implement the following policy in relation to the safety of the Basketball court and the risk of viral transmission.

As a practical guide the following interpretation of court safety is to be followed:

1. During the game the official shall order any player who is bleeding or has an open wound, to leave the playing court and cause this player to be substituted.
2. Before the player is allowed back into the game the wound should be treated (no further bleeding) and the affected area completely and securely covered.
3. A bleeding player who has received treatment, and the affected area covered, may remain in the game at the expense of a team time-out. (As for an injured player.)
4. If there is blood on the uniform the player should change the uniform immediately. (It will be necessary to carry a spare number uniform for this purpose.) Under no circumstances should a player with wet or dry bloodstains on their uniform be allowed on the court.
5. Prohibit a player returning to the court with a blood stained uniform, unless the uniform has been soaked in the recommended solution for at least five minutes and thoroughly rinsed off with water. Destroy the HIV with a solution of 0.5% bleach and 2% detergent mixed with water and applied for five minutes. (Normal machine washing would kill the virus on pieces of clothing.)
6. Blood on the ball – replace the ball.
7. Blood spilt on the floor or benches should be wiped thoroughly with the bleach and detergent solution.
8. A “Blood Kit” should be situated at the Scoretable during competition games. The Kit should be used only for the purpose of dealing with spilt blood on the floor or benches.

Suggested Contents of Blood Kit:

• 1 Packet of paper hand towels.
• 1 Packet of disposable latex surgical gloves.
• 1 Packet of medium size resealable plastic bags.
• 1 1500 ml Spray Bottle with 0.5% bleach and 2% detergent mixed with water.

(Bleach is the key ingredient. Standard household bleach is acceptable, but it must not        be used past its use by date.)

Solutions should only be used if they have been mixed (prepared) that day.

Guidelines for Scoretable Officials

When a uniform is changed draw one line through the old number, place the new number beside it, with an asterisk beside the numbers with an explanation at the bottom of the score sheet.

Where Scoretable officials observe substantial bleeding or blood on a playing uniform, and the referees have not become aware of the problem, the chairperson is to wait until the next dead ball period before advising the referees.

Persons Tending to Bleeding Players and Blood on Surfaces should;

• Take precautions so as not to come into contact with body fluids, particularly blood, or with soiled objects, even if the risk is low.
• Take care to avoid blood from the wounded person coming into contact with skin punctures or cuts, particularly on the fingers, or reaching the eyes or the mucous membranes of the nose or mouth.
• Spray the bleach and detergent solution directly onto the spilt surface, then wipe the surface with paper towels.
• Always wear latex, disposable surgical gloves in anticipation of contact with body fluids, particularly blood from the nose, mouth or a wound when touching nasal mucous membranes or broken skin (abrasions, dermatitis) or when handling soiled objects. The gloves must be discarded after use.
• Place soiled linen, and uniforms into sealed plastic bags, to then be washed in a normal machine-wash process.
• After placing soiled paper towels, surgical gloves, compresses, dressings and bandages into a sealed bag. Destroy or dispose of the bags in garbage disposal bins. Thoroughly wash hands with a bleach and detergent solution before and particularly immediately after contact with the person being treated, even if gloves have been worn. Wash all areas that have come into contact with body fluids.
• Do not use sponges, especially not to clean several wounded persons in succession.

Information on the Prevention of AIDS:

(Taken from a circular from Dr. Jacques Huguet, President of FIBA Medical Council)

• Some sports carry a greater risk of contamination than others in so far as there is a greater possibility of blood contact.
• Contact can occur through open and bleeding wounds as well as through abrasive or inflammatory injuries to the skin.
• Basketball is classified in the medium risk category.
• In the field of sports one should know that the AIDS virus cannot be transmitted by saliva, sweat, urine, skin contact, handshakes, bath water, swimming pools, showers or toilets.
• Light washing with detergent or water does not necessarily kill the HIV. HIV can survive in dried blood for up to seven days.
• The risk of blood on clothing being transmitted to another player is extremely small, but real.