FS, what are you proposing as the likely route of transmission? Always supposing that there is anything transmissible in the vomit, how will it get from the bucket to anybody else? Not saying I like the idea of buckets of sick (I know, call me strange), but there would have to be a transmission route involved. It could get kicked over, and whoever then had to clean up would be at risk, that would be the big issue for me,

John

Well it depends on why the person is vomiting. Vomiting is usually a reaction to a gastric infection; basically the body is trying to get rid of whatever microorganism is causing the infection. Norovirus, sometimes known as the winter vomiting bug, is notorious for its ability to cause an infection in small doses. Some virologists believe that the way it causes projectile vomiting is an adaptation to make is spread further. Tiny fragments of vomit can be carried some distance from the infected person, where they settle and someone else can pick them up for example off a door handle.
Even if the vomiting is not caused by an infection a bucket of vomit makes a good environment for microorganisms to grow so I would dispose of it as quickly as possible and not leave it lying around for someone else to knock over. I am surprised that they are using a bucket in a hospital environment as I thought that in most places they now used disposable cardboard receptacles, which can be bagged and sent for incineration. If they are using a bucket, after getting rid of the vomit (down sluice I suppose- do hospitals still have those?) you would have to sterilise and wash the bucket before replacing back in the toilet.

Yes sounds like a vulnerable place. Note that although Norovirus is called the winter vomiting bug it can strike at any time of the year and outbreaks tend to take place where there are people in close proximity, including cruise ships, schools and hospitals. This page from Public health England, https://www.gov.uk/gover...idance-data-and-analysis gives more background information. The main thing you need to do is to clear up asap using suitable disinfectants ( bleach seems to be the best).

Am I missing something really obvious here? Why on Earth would you want to buy 'tons' of 'special receptacles' and (presumably) pay for them to be disposed of? Surely the cheapest, and safest option, is to dispose of the vomit by flushing down the toilet (if you don't have a dedicated sluice)? (Using appropriate barrier techniques as necessary to minimise any possible infection risks)...

The "teenager" who was being sick is a home education lad who was attending school for exams.

The teacher in the room during the exam reacted to the lad being sick by securing a bucket once all the available cardboard receptacles had been used up.

The room she placed the bucket in was the best room she could think of, but simply forgot to tell anyone about the vomit being in the bucket in the room.

There was no procedure for dealing with such an occurrence.

There is now however and the cart is now firmly behind the horse.

Thanks for all your thoughts.

The key thing is that you need a process rather than just leaving it up to staff to make it up and as in this case just leaving a bucket of vomit for someone else to clear up. Some of the enteric bugs are very persistent, so I would not recommend leaving it lying around for someone else to knock over etc. it’s not rocket science just basic housekeeping.

Yes it would be safe in bucket as long as it stays there. Lots of things are safe in a bucket including concentrated sulphuric acid and some chemical warfare agents but I don’t recommend leaving them lying around like that especially in a school scenario. The fact that was a gap in the system was of more concern. Note the original poster said that they had disposable sick receptacles, but had run out and not replaced them. So someone had recognised the risk but had allowed a gap to come into existence.