Cleaning a chemo spill at home (1991)

What do I need to clean up a spill?

Make a spill kit that has these supplies:

• 2 pairs of disposable gloves.
• Paper towels.
• Dish soap or laundry detergent.
• At least 3 plastic bags that can be sealed. For example, a Ziplock® bag at least a gallon sized.
  • One for chemo medicine and tubing.
  • One for dirty cleaning supplies.
  • 1 or 2 plastic bags that are big enough to hold clothing and can be sealed or tied.

Keep the kit where you can easily reach it.

What do I do if my child’s chemo spills?

Follow the C’s:

Clamp

• Put on 2 pairs of disposable gloves.
• Clamp the tubing for IV chemo.
• If there is a pump, turn off the pump.

Contain

•  Put the chemo medicine and tubing in a plastic bag. Seal it right away.
• Put your child’s clothes and linens that have chemo on them in a separate plastic bag and seal it.
• Soak up any chemo that spilled using paper towels.

Clean

• Wash the area with dish soap or laundry detergent and water.
• Put dirty cleaning supplies in a plastic bag that can be sealed right away.
• Wash your child’s clothes and linens right away. Wash them alone in a washing machine using hot water and soap (detergent).
• Wash your own clothes and linens alone in a washing machine, separate from your child’s clothes and linens. Use hot water and soap (detergent).
• Take off your gloves. Put them in the bag with the dirty cleaning supplies. Seal the bag tightly.
• Wash your hands well with soap and water.
  Wash or bathe your child where the chemo spilled on them with warm soap and water.

Call
Call your child’s doctor or nurse for more information and where to throw out plastic bags.

• Monday – Friday 8:00 AM-5:30 PM, call 414-266-2420, press #1 for oncology
• After 5:30 PM weekdays, weekends, and holidays, call 414-266-3050

What happens if chemo gets on my skin?

• Wash the area well with soap and water.
• Call your doctor or nurse if you have redness, pain, or skin burns.

What happens if chemo gets in my eye?

• Rinse your eyes with cool running water right away.
• Keep water flowing over your eyes for 10 to15 minutes. Keep your eyes open as much as possible.
• Call your child’s doctor or nurse for more instructions.

ALERT: Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if your child has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.