BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

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BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS
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What Are Bloodborne Pathogens?

• Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms such as
  viruses or bacteria that are carried in blood and
  can cause disease in people

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Bloodborne Diseases

• HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus causes AIDS -
  no cure or vaccination
• HBV Hepatitis B virus causes liver disease -
  vaccination available
• Non-A or Non-B Hepatitis
• Syphilis
• Malaria

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HBV Or Hepatitis

• Inflammation of the liver - most common
  bloodborne disease
• Is transmitted primarily through "blood to blood"
  contact
• Symptoms range from flu-like to none at all
• No symptoms - person is infectious and can spread
  the disease. Can survive in dried blood for up to
  seven days
• Hepatitis infects about 300,000 people in USA
  annually
• Can lead to serious conditions such as cirrhosis
• liver cancer

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HBV Symptoms

• Mild flu-like symptoms
• Fatigue
• Possible stomach pain
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Jaundice
• Darkened urine

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Hepatitis B Vaccinations

• Employees who have routine exposure to bloodborne
  pathogens shall be offered the Hepatitis B
  vaccine series at no cost unless
• They have previously received the vaccine series
• Antibody testing has revealed they are immune
• The vaccine is contraindicated for medical
  reasons

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Vaccination Process

• Series of three shots.
• 2nd shot is given one month after the 1st
• 3rd shot follows 5 months after the 2nd.
• This series gradually builds up the body's
  immunity to the Hepatitis B virus.

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HIV or AIDS

• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
• Attacks the bodys immune system and weakens it,
  preventing it from fighting other diseases
• 35,000 people are infected annually
• An infected person may carry the virus for years
  before symptoms appear
• No cure and no vaccine at present

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HIV Direct Contact

• The HIV virus is very fragile and will not
  survive very long outside of the human body. It
  is primarily of concern to employees providing
  first aid or medical care in situations involving
  fresh blood or other potentially infectious
  materials.

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Means Of Transmission

• Sexual contact with an infected partner
• Sharing infected needles
• Accidentally cutting yourself with a sharp object
  that is contaminated
• Infected blood or body fluid on skin with open
  cuts, sores
• Getting contaminated blood or body fluid in
• eyes, mouth

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Protect Yourself

• Universal Precautions
• Treat all blood and body fluids as potentially
  infectious
• Skin protects from pathogens - cuts, dermatitis,
  chapping, small cracks allow germs to enter the
  body
• First aid - use gloves, have as little contact as
  possible with blood or body fluids
• Wash hands with antibacterial soap after contact
• After contact, flush eyes and face with fresh
  water
• for several minutes

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Clean-up And Housekeeping

• After an accident, the entire area must be
  cleaned with disinfectant
• Cleaning equipment must be disinfected
• Wear gloves while cleaning, apron or goggles if
  appropriate
• Restrict access to the area
• Use disposable towels - dispose of properly

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Other Exposure Hazards

• Cleaning surfaces contaminated with blood, vomit
  feces
• ALWAYS wear gloves and protective apron or
  clothing
• Be alert for sharp objects, broken glassware,
  used syringes in trash
• Do not pick up broken glass - use brush or broom
  dustpan
• Dispose of glass, sharp objects safely
• Laundry - bloody or contaminated linens or
• sharp objects

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Signs Labels

• Warning labels must be placed on containers of
  regulated waste, refrigerators and freezers
  containing blood or other potentially infectious
  material and other containers used to store,
  transport, or ship blood or other potentially
  infectious materials.

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Regulated Waste

• Any liquid or semi-liquid blood or other
  potentially infectious materials.
• Contaminated items that would release blood or
  other potentially infectious materials in a
  liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed.
• Items that are caked with dried blood or other
  potentially infectious materials

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Emergencies

• In an emergency situation, always use Universal
  Precautions
• Minimize your exposure by wearing
• Gloves
• Splash goggles
• Pocket mouth-to-mouth
  resuscitation masks
• Other barrier devices

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Common Sense Rules

• Wash hands remove protective clothing before
  eating, drinking, smoking, handling contact
  lenses, or cosmetics
• Use antibacterial soap
• Keep hands away from eyes, nose, mouth while
  cleaning
• Frequent hand washing is best defense against
  spreading infection

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If You Are Exposed

• Wash the exposed area thoroughly with soap and
  running water.
• Use non-abrasive, antibacterial soap
• Flush mouth, nose, eyes for 15 minutes if blood
  is splashed in mucous membranes

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Other Actions If Exposed

• Report the exposure to your supervisor
• Fill out an exposure report form
• Request blood testing Hepatitis B vaccination

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PPE

• The best protection against exposure is to ensure
  you are wearing the appropriate personal
  protective equipment (PPE). For example, you may
  have noticed that emergency medical personnel,
  doctors, nurses, dentists, dental assistants, and
  other health care professionals always wear latex
  or protective gloves. To protect yourself, it is
  essential to have a barrier between you and the
  potentially infectious material.

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Rules To Follow

• Treat all blood or potentially infectious body
  fluids as if they are contaminated.
• Always wear personal protective equipment in
  exposure situations.
• Replace PPE that is torn or punctured.
• Remove PPE before leaving the work area.
• Properly disinfect or dispose of used PPE
• Wash hands immediately after removing PPE

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Gloves

• Gloves should be made of latex, nitril, rubber,
  or other water impervious materials.
• Inspect gloves before use
• Double gloving can provide an additional layer of
  protection.
• If you have cuts or sores on your hands, you
  should cover these with a bandage or similar
  protection as an additional precaution before
  donning your gloves.
• Dont touch the outside of used gloves

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Other PPE

• Use goggles if there is a risk of splashing or
  vaporization of contaminated fluids
• Face shields provide additional face protection
  for the nose and mouth.
• Aprons protect

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Contaminated Clothing

• Remove clothing that is contaminated with blood
  as soon as possible
• Use Universal Precautions when handling
  contaminated laundry
• Place clothing in approved labeled bags or
  containers

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Summary

• Protect yourself on and off the job - know the
  facts
• Practice good personal hygiene
• Use gloves and protective clothing
• Wash your hands often, after work or exposure
• Keep areas clean - report problems immediately to
  supervisors