Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness

1. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness

2. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Table and Contents • Course Objective • What are bloodborne pathogens • Three main types of bloodborne payhogens - Hepatitis B - Hepatitis C - HIV • How bloodborne pathogens are transmitted and how they are not • Proper controls work practices, and PPE needed to prevent exposure • Medical waste disposal • What to do if an exposure occurs

3. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Course Objective When you complete this course you will understand • What bloodborne pathogens are and the most commons types of bloodborne pathogens • How bloodborne pathogens are transmitted • Proper work practices and controls to prevent exposure • How medical waste should be properly disposed • What to do if an exposure occurs

4. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness What are bloodborne pathogens ? Bloodborne pathogens are : • Microorganisms in the bloodstream such as viruses or bacteria that can cause disease • The most common bloodborne pathogens are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

5. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Hepatitis B • Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver • It is transmitted primarily through coming in contact with blood or other body fluids that can contain blood • The virus can survive in dry blood for up to 7 days • Symptoms typically occur within there months of becoming infected.Symptoms include : - Fatigue, loss of appetite, weakness, jaundice (Yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin), enlargement of the liver with tenderness

6. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness • 50% of infected individuals show no symptoms at all • Most people will develop antibodies.5-10% will not produce antibodies and will develop chronic hepatitis • Longterm consequences of chronic Hepatitis B infection may include cirrhosis and canser of the liver • If you work in an area where you participate in clean up of potentially infected material you maybe given the Hepatitis B vaccine if you choose

7. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Hepatitis C • Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver • It is transmitted primarily through coming in contact with blood or other body fluids that can contain blood • Infected individuals can have no symptoms • Infected individuals may have symptoms including : - Jaundice ( Yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin) - Loss of appetite - Fatigue - Abdominal - Vomiting

8. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) • AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus • HIV is primarily spread when HIV infected blood,semen,vaginal/cervical fluids or other body fluids that contain blood passes into another person’s body through broken skin (Such as cuts, abrasions, open sores or mucous membranes) • HIV is very fragile and will not survive long outside of the human body • There are generally no symptoms of infection until the immune system becomes damaged • Once the immune system becomes damaged symptoms of HIV infection may include : - Weakness, sore throat, fever, nausea, headaches, weight loss, diarrhea,swollen lymph glands, white coating on tongue

9. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness • There are is no vaccine or cure at this time although treatment has improved dramatically in the past decade

10. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Where are bloodborne pathogens found ? Bloodborne pathogens are found in blood, tissue, blood product and other potentially infectious materials including : O Birth Fluids (Amniotic Fluids) O Breast Milk O Spinal Fluid (Cerebrospinal Fluid) O Fluid around the Heart (Pericardial Fluid) O Fluid in the Abdomen (Peritoneal Fluid) O Fluid around the Lungs (Pleural Fluid) O Saliva in dental procedures O Semen O Fluid in the Joints (Synovial Fluid) O Vaginal secretions

11. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness How are bloodborne pathogens transmitted ? Any time there is a blood to blood contact with infected blood or body fluids containing blood, there is a risk for transmission O Common modes of transmission include : O Skin provides an excellent banner unless there are : O Broken Skin-Cuts, scrapes, abrasions.This also includes body piercing and tattooing O Mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth O Ingestion O Inhalation O Sexual contact O Transfusion O IV Drug use that involves sharing of needles

12. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness How are bloodborne pathogens transmitted ? Any time there is a blood to blood contact with infected blood or body fluids containing blood, there is a risk for transmission O Open sores O Cuts O Abrasions O Acne O Or other damage such as blisters or sunburn

13. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Ways bloodborne pathogens are not transmitted Bloodborne pathogens are NOT transmitted by : O Using a toilet, shower or water fountain O Touching an infected person (Unless there is blood to blood contact)

14. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Activities that increase risk of exposure Activities that might increase your risk for exposure includes : O Recapping needles O Drawing blood O Collecting broken skin without the use of gloves O Coming into contact with a contaminated surface if you have open areas on your skin O Any task requiring the use of sharp objects O Housekeeping tasks O Providing first aid without the proper personal protective equipment (PPE)

15. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Activity O A worker is trying to remove a bolt from a piece of equipment they are working on. The tool being used to remove the bolt slips and pierces the worker’s hand. A co-worker grabs a nearby shop towel and places it on the worker’s hand. The supervisor is called and accompanies the worker to the medical clinic, applying pressure to the wound with his hand. Later that day a maintenance man sees the shop towel lying on a workbench picks it up and throws it into the garbage can.

16. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Controlling Exposure The hierarchy of control measures for bloodborne pathogens is : Engineering Control Administrative Contarol Work Practice Control

17. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Controlling Exposure : Engineering Engineering Control are your first line of defense against contact with blood or other infectious materials Engineering controls replace or redesign unsafe equipment or processes to make your job safer Engineering controls will not work if they are not used correctly

18. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Controlling Exposure : Administrative Administrative controls include : O Training O Developing written procedures such as an Exposure Control Plan O Immunization for Hepatitis B O Post exposure monitoring

19. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Controlling Exposure : Universal Precautions “Universal Precautions” states that all blood and body fluids are to be treated as if they are infectious regardless of the source. “Universal precautions” is a prevention strategy used to remind employees that many illnesses caused by bloodborne pathogens are not readily recognizable Therefore it is safer for the employee to trat all blood and body fluid as having the potential to infect

20. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Work Practice : Housekeeping Good housekeeping protects workers from the hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens. Remember : O Never clean up a blood spill unless you have been trained to do so O Clean up all spill immediately, label and dispose of clean-up materials properly O If the person is not seriously injured and can do so, have them clean up their own blood O Clean and disinfect all surfaces and equipment that been in contact with blood O A mild solution of 1 part household bleach to 10 parts water will disinfect a contaminated surface O Do not use you hands or feet to push garbage down into a bag

21. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness General Work Practice : Hygiene Good personal hygiene is a key factor in minimizing the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens : O Hand washing is one of the single most important and easiest tools available to prevent the spread of infections. O Hands should be washed frequently with soap and water O Hands should be washed before eating, after using the bathroom and prior to leaving work. O Apply makeup, eat, drink or handle contact lenses in safe areas to prevent potential contamination.

22. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness General Work Practice : Guidelines O Wear puncture resistant gloves when working with sharp objects to avoid injury O Do not place sharp objects where another worker may become injured O Never pick up sharp metals, glass or any object that has blood on it.Use a pair of tongs or sweep up with a broom and dustpan O Dispose of syringes properly, do not recap, bend or break needles O Use only approved sharps containers made out of rigid plastic O Store food and drink in approved refrigerators, cabinet or other storage areas

23. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Controlling Exposure : PPE Personal Protective equipment protects the worker from coming into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. PPE may include using CPR shields, gowns, face shield, safety goggle, lab coats, masks, puncture resistant gloves, etc.

24. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Controlling Exposure :PPE General Rules General rules for PPE use include : O PPE must be worn properly in order to be protective O Never reuse disposable gloves O Always be sure gloves fit properly and are not torn or puncture O If there is a risk for splashing, wear goggles O Face shields may be required to protect the nose and mouth areas O Normal clothing must be removed if soaked with blood O Replace PPE that is torn, defective or no longer fits properly

25. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness Signs and Labels Biohazard signs and labels are red-orange to red in color with the black universal symbol for biohazard A biohazard symbol must appear on any container with blood contaminated Blood contaminated waste is placed in a “Red Bag” with a biohazard label. Transport all red bags to designated areas such as the medical clinic for proper disposal.

26. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness What to do if you are exposure ? Wash the exposure area immediately with soap and water If cut by item which has blood on it, try to save the item for contamination testing Promptly report the incident to your supervisor Seek medical attention Notifications and actions should be taken in accordance with the steps identified in your site’s Exposure Control Plan

27. Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness First Aid Do not give medical treatment without proper training If splashed with blood, wash area immediately with soap and water Report all incidents to your supervisor Clean up the area using proper PPE and following the procedures identified in your site’s Exposure Control Plan