copyright progressive business publications bloodborne pathogen safety

Copyright Progressive Business Publications

Bloodborne Pathogen Safety


Types of Bloodborne Pathogens

The two main types of bloodborne pathogens you’re most at risk for are:

– Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

– Hepatitis B virus (HBV)


Infectious Materials

Blood Semen Vaginal secretions Cerebrospinal, synovial, pericardial, pleural,

peritoneal or amniotic fluids Saliva Any body fluid contaminated with blood


Common On-the-Job Exposures

Needlestick injuries (NSIs)– Nurses sustain the most NSIs– As many as 1/3 of NSIs occur during disposal– 600,000 to 800,000 (est.) NSIs occur each year

Contact between infected fluids and broken or damaged skin

Contact between infected fluids and mucous membranes

– Eyes, nose or mouth


What to Do if You’re Exposed?

Wash your hands– Immediately following incident

– Use soft, antibacterial soap or skin disinfectant

Wash your eyes– Flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes

Report exposure to supervisor ASAP

Seek medical attention right away


Post-exposure Vaccination

If workers are exposed to infectious materials, Hepatitis B vaccinations will be made available

– Within 10 days

– At no cost

– Under a healthcare professional’s supervision


Post-exposure Evaluation

Following an exposure incident, a medical evaluation must be done

Must follow proceduresspecified by OSHA

Must include lab tests

Free to employee

Diagnoses are confidential


Follow-up Evaluation

Subsequent follow-up should include:

– Medical evaluation

– Testing of source person

– Blood test

– Post-exposure prophylaxis

– Counseling

– Evaluation of illness


Our Exposure Control Plan (ECP)

Lists procedures and jobs that put you at risk of exposure

Lists procedure for evaluating incidents

Must be accessible to you

Must be available to OSHA

Must be reviewed and updated regularly


Our Obligations to You

We must provide hand washing facilities We must provide you with personal

protective equipment– Gloves

– Goggles

– Face shields

– Aprons

– Mouthpieces

– Resuscitation bags


Hazard Information

We must inform you of bloodborne pathogen hazards through:– Warning labels with orange or orange/red

biohazard symbol• Labels must be on

– Infectious waste containers

– Refrigerators and freezers holding infectious materials

– Signs on restricted areas


Medical Records of Exposure

For each exposed worker, medical records must be kept for duration of employment plus 30 years

Records must be confidential

Must include:– HVB vaccination status

– Exam results

– Medical testing and follow-up records

– Written opinions

– Info provided to healthcare professionals


Privacy of Medical Records

Private medical records of bloodborne pathogen exposure:

– Must be accessible to• Infected employees• Anyone with the employee’s written consent• OSHA• NIOSH

– Aren’t accessible to us (your employer)– Must be disposed of in accordance with

HIPAA privacy regulations


Training Records

Records of your training for bloodborne pathogen safety must be kept for three years

The records must document:– Dates of training

– Content of training

– Your trainer’s name and qualifications

– Names and titles of everyone who attended the training


Summary

Contact with infectious body fluids can expose you to bloodborne pathogens.

HIV and HBV are commonly transmitted via needlestick injuries, or contact between infected fluids and skin or mucous membranes.

If exposed to bloodborne pathogens, you must wash your hands and eyes, report the incident, seek medical attention, be vaccinated and undergo testing.

As your employer, we’re responsible for providing an exposure control plan, cleaning facilities, PPE and hazard information.

copyright progressive business publications bloodborne pathogen safety

Documents

exposure incident

minutes report exposure

bloodborne pathogen

infected fluids

infectious materialssigns

hepatitis b vaccinations

skin disinfectant wash

supervisor asap