Bloodborne Pathogens In The Workplace

1. Bloodborne Pathogens In The Workplace This training is designed to provide a basic understanding of bloodborne pathogens, common routes of entry, methods of prevention, and other pertinent information.

2. AGENDA • What Are Bloodborne Pathogens • Where Are They Found • What is Hepatitis • A Closer Look At Hepatitis and HIV • Routes Of Entry • Protecting Yourself • Should I Help An Injured Worker • What If I Am Exposed • Misconceptions • Response Kits

3. What Are Bloodborne Pathogens? Microorganisms in the bloodstream that can cause disease. Bloodborne Pathogens primarily attack the liver; however, they may attribute to many other diseases such as malaria and syphilis.

4. Where Are They Found? Blood and Potentially Infectious Materials: In blood and blood products to include: Semen Vaginal Secretions Breast Milk Cerebrospinal Fluid Synovial Fluid Amniotic Fluid and other body fluids

5. A Closer Look at Hepatitis and HIV Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and HIV Hepatitis A (HAV) - 47% of Hepatitis cases Hepatitis B (HBV) - 34% of Hepatitis cases Hepatitis C (HCV) - 16% of Hepatitis cases Hepatitis D (HDV) - 4% of Hepatitis HBV cases (co-infection) Hepatitis E (HEV) - Rarely reported in the United States Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) - 0.4% chance of contracting HIV in a workplace environment. Source - CDC, Acute Viral Hepatitis, by Type, United States, 1982-1993

6. What Is Hepatitis? An inflammation of the liver, usually due to acute viral infection, primarily of the liver, occurring in three or more forms. • For example: Symptoms of Hepatitis B (HBV) • -Yellow Eyes & Skin (Jaundice) • -Abdominal pain • -Fever and Vomiting • -Dark Urine • -Fatigue

7. Hepatitis A (HAV) • Transmitted via contaminated food or water • which contains fecal matter. There is a vaccine • to prevent HAV. • Two types HAV - • Infectious (transmitted person to person by the fecal-oral route) or • Serum (transmitted by transfusion of blood products)

8. Hepatitis B (HBV) Transmitted by injections transporting a virus-bearing serum, most often during blood transfusions and by contaminated needles and syringes. • Hepatitis B is transmitted primarily through "blood to blood" contact. • Hepatitis B virus is very durable, and it can survive in dried blood for up to seven days. This virus is the primary concern for housekeepers, custodians, laundry personnel and other employees who may come in contact with blood or potentially infectious materials in a non first-aid or medical care situation.

9. Hepatitis C (HCV) Transmitted in blood or body fluids. No vaccination exists for HCV. Chronic liver disease develops in about 70% of persons who become infected with HCV and nearly all (85%-100%) persons with acute HCV infection become persistently infected; these persons are at risk for developing cirrhosis and liver cancer

10. Hepatitis D (HDV) One of the newer types. Transmitted primarily through injected drug use and sexual contact. Prevention: Education to reduce risk behaviors for those with chronic HBV infection

11. Hepatitis E (HEV) Transmitted in contaminated drinking water. Most cases in U.S. are from persons returning from areas with high exposure. Currently no treatment for HEV. Symptoms of acute hepatitis E are similar to those of other types of viral hepatitis and include abdominal pain, anorexia, dark urine, fever, hepatomegaly, jaundice, malaise, nausea, and vomiting.

12. HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) The virus that causes AIDS. HIV attacks the immune system, making the body less able to fight off infections. No vaccine exist, and most cases prove fatal. It is primarily of concern to employees providing first aid or medical care in situations involving fresh blood or other potentially infectious materials. It is estimated that the chances of contracting HIV in a workplace environment are only 0.4%. Because it is such a devastating disease, all precautions must be taken to avoid exposure.

13. How Can A Bloodborne Disease Be Transmitted In the Workplace? Bloodborne pathogens such as HBV and HIV can be transmitted through contact with infected human blood and other potentially infectious body fluids ….

14. People infected with these pathogens may appear healthy and not even know they’re infected. They can still infect others. Although HBV, HCV and HIV are mainly transmitted through sexual contact and sharing needles, any situation in which blood is present in the work environment is an area of concern.

15. Routes Of Entry Blood or other infectious material could enter your system through these routes of entry: • Unprotected opening in the skin • Unprotected mucus membrane openings • Penetration of the skin Mishaps in the workplace can spread bloodborne pathogens. Depending on the mishap, an injured worker’s blood could contaminate broken glass, a work surface, tools or clothing. If you have contact with a contaminated object, you could become infected. Accidental puncture from contaminated needles and other sharps can result in transmission of bloodborne pathogens.

16. Protecting Yourself

17. Should I Help An Injured Worker?

18. “Universal Precautions” Can Help You LIVE!!! “Universal precautions” mean always treating everyone’s blood and other body fluids as infectious. This precaution is governed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Bloodborne Pathogen Standard 1910.1030 applies to any worker potentially exposed to BBP.

19. Bloodborne Pathogen Response Kits Response kits are located _____. They contain all protective items needed to clean up area where blood or body fluids are present. Know the location of the response kits for your work center. NOTE: The kits are identified with the wording “Bloodborne Pathogen Response Kit”.

20. What If I’m Exposed? If you are inadvertently exposed to blood or other bodily fluids: 1. Wash the exposed area immediately with soap and running water for 20 minutes. 2. If cut by an item which has blood on it, try to save the item for contamination testing. 3. Promptly report the incident to your supervisor. 4. Seek medical attention during normal duty hours at ________________. During non-duty hours, seek medical attention at the emergency room at __________________.

21. Misconceptions The increasing incidence of AIDS has caused fears that have developed into misconceptions. HIV cannot be passed on by casual contact. There- fore, you cannot get HIV by: - Sharing food, drinking glasses or towels - From sinks or toilets - Sharing PPE such as goggles or respirators - Insect bites such as mosquitoes Proper hygiene practices, such as disinfecting a respirator after use should be a standard work practice. There is no documented evidence showing HIV having been transmitted through dried blood; however, HBV can be.

22. Presentation created by: TSgt White, 633 AMSS Safety, USAF Revised for U.S. Army, March 1999 by: Dennis Keplinger, CSP, USASC, Tng Div keplingD@safety-emh1.army.mil