Bloodborne Pathogens

1. Bloodborne Pathogens Healthcare Workers

2. Session Objectives You will be able to: • Identify risks of exposure • Understand the requirements of the facility’s exposure control plan and OSHA regulations • Prevent exposure by taking proper precautions • Take effective action in the event of an exposure

3. What is a BB Pathogen? Microorganisms present in Blood, Other Potentially Infectious Materials or

4. BloodbornePathogens(BBPs) “OPIM “ is: • Semen • Vaginal secretions • Body fluids such as pleural, cerebrospinal, pericardial, peritoneal, synovial, and amniotic • Saliva in dental procedures • Any body fluids visibly contaminated with blood

5. What Can I Do? • As a student of a health related program, you are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. • Presence of mind is your most important protection against contamination. • Know your program policy (see student handbook) and follow it without exception.

6. Understanding the Risks Risk of infection depends on several factors: • The pathogen involved • The type/route of exposure • The amount of virus in the infected blood at the time of exposure • The amount of infected blood involved in the exposure • Whether post-exposure treatment was taken • Specific immune response of the individual

7. Common BB Pathogen Diseases Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Hepatitis B(HBV) Hepatitis C(HCV)

8. HIV • HIV is the virus that leads to AIDS • HIV attacks the immune system • HIV does not survive well outside the body • Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, chronic fatigue, and skin rashes or lesions • Victims can develop cancer or deadly infections in later stages • No cure; no vaccine available yet

9. HIV HIV Transmission: • Sexual contact • Sharing needles and or syringes • From HIV-infected women to their babies during pregnancy or delivery • Breast-feeding • Needle sticks

10. Hepatitis B • Hepatitis B can cause serious health problems • 100 times more contagious than HIV • Hearty – can live for 7+ days in dried blood • Symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, pain, vomiting, and jaundice • No cure, but there is a preventative vaccine

11. HIV vs. Hepatitis B

12. Hepatitis C • The most common chronic bloodborne infection in the U.S. • In health care most cases are the result of needle sticks • It can be years before symptoms are recognized • Hepatitis C can cause chronic liver disease and death • Symptoms are similar to hepatitis B • There is no vaccine

13. Workplace Transmission • Contact with an infected person’s blood or bodily fluids that contain blood • Contact with other potentially infectious materials • Contact with contaminated sharps/needles

14. Workplace Transmission (cont.) • Entry through non-intact skin • Entry through eyes, nose, and mouth How bloodborne pathogens are NOT transmitted • Coughing • Sneezing • Touching • Using same equipment • Toilet • Showers • Water fountains

15. Health Care Workers and BBPs Occupational Transmission • Risk of infection following a needle stick or cut from a positive (infected) source: • HBV: 6%-30% • HCV: 1.8%(range 0%-7%) • HIV: 0.3%

16. OSHA Requirements Bloodborne Pathogens Standard • Written exposure control plan • Exposure determination • Hazard identification and protective measures • Training for employees at risk • PPE • Hepatitis B Vaccine • Post exposure evaluation & follow-up • Recordkeeping Exposure Control Plan

17. Exposure Controls Reducing your risk • Universal precautions • Equipment and Safer Medical Devices • Work practices • Personal protective equipment • Housekeeping • Laundry handling • Hazard communication- labeling • Regulated Waste

18. Universal Precautions • Treat all blood and bodily fluids as if they are infected • Treat potentially contaminated materials as if they are infected • The goal is to avoid all direct contact • Universal precautions apply to any and all potential exposures • No contact, no exposure. No exposure, no infection.

19. Precautions with Sharps • Prevent needle sticks with needleless equipment or special devices • Look for sharps less likely to cause needle sticks

20. Precautions with Sharps (cont.) • Dispose of all sharps in proper containers • Don’t shear, break, bend, or remove needles • Don’t recap needles unless you use a mechanical device • Don’t reach into a container that might contain sharps • Use a strainer to hold sharps when cleaning • Don’t clean up broken glass with your hands

21. Safe Work Practices • Take special care when you collect, handle, store, or transport blood or other potentially infectious materials • Transport waste, sharps, or other potentially contaminated items in closed, leak proof containers • Do not open, empty, or clean reusable containers by hand

22. Personal Hygiene • Wash with soap and water immediately after any exposure • Wash thoroughly after removing PPE • Flush eyes, nose, or mouth after exposure • Don’t eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics, or handle contact lenses in any possible exposure areas • Don’t keep food or drinks near potentially infectious materials

23. Personal Protective Equipment • Gloves • Face and eye protection • Safety glasses with sides shields • Splash goggles • Face shield • Mask • Protective clothing • Lab coat • Gown • Apron • Surgical cap or hood • Shoe cover or boot • Fully encapsulated suit • Inspecting PPE before use • Removing PPE after use

24. Labels and Signs Labels that include the universal biohazard symbol and the word “Biohazard” must be attached to: • Containers of regulated biowaste • Refrigerators or freezers containing blood or other potentially infectious materials • Containers used to store, transport, or ship these materials

25. Housekeeping DISINFECTANT • Use universal precautions when cleaning • Wear appropriate PPE • Clean and decontaminate all equipment and surfaces (recommend 1:10 bleach solution) • Remove and replace protective coverings • Clean and decontaminate reusable bins, pails, and cans • Dispose of contaminated cleaning materials properly

26. Laundry • Use universal precautions • Wear assigned PPE • Bag contaminated laundry • Use leak-proof bags for wet laundry

27. Regulated Medical Wastes • Liquid or semiliquid blood or other potentially infectious materials • Contaminated items that would release infectious materials when compressed • Contaminated sharps • Pathological or microbiological waste

28. Exposure Incidents • An exposure incident is direct contact with blood, bodily fluids contaminated with blood, or other potentially infectious material • Wash thoroughly after any direct exposure • Report any exposure incident right away • You will be offered a blood test and medical evaluation

29. Hepatitis B Vaccinations • Safe and effective way to prevent disease • Offered to all potentially exposed employees • You can decline to have the vaccination

30. Key Points to Remember • Take universal precautions • Wear assigned PPE • Use safe work practices • Practice good personal hygiene • Dispose of contaminated materials properly in labeled containers • Report all direct exposures

31. In Conclusion BB pathogen rules are in place for your health and safety. Failure to follow them is a risk that does not need to be taken.

32. Questions ? Do I really have to do BBP training every year? YES!

33. IF YOU HAVE ADDITONAL QUESTIONS, YOU MAY: • Talk with you instructor • Stop by Student Health Services for additional information or handouts • Check out some of the great information that can be found on the web • Refer to the student handbook for your clinical program

34. DVD Bloodborne Pathogens A Healthcare Refresher