Blood Borne Pathogens

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Blood Borne Pathogens

• What You Need to Know
• Cynthia DiLaura Devore, MD, FAAP
• Carl M. Devore, MD, MPH

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Why are we reviewing this topic?

• Every employee needs to know how to stay safe in
  the workplace
• In a school setting, there is a potential for
  exposure to blood and bloody body fluids that
  might be contaminated with a blood borne
  pathogen.
• OSHA the Occupational Safety and Health
• Organization (federal government) requires
• safety training for all employees

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What are blood borne pathogens?

• Viral infections that are transmitted from person
  to person via blood or bloody body fluid in the
  workplace are considered blood borne pathogens.
• These diseases are not easy to catch, but once
  contracted, cannot be cured with medications,
  making prevention the primary priority
• Examples of blood borne pathogens include
• Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV),
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C

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Prevalence and Risk

• In a school setting the prevalence of HIV,
• Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C is low
• compared with other environments
• The risk of contracting these diseases can
• be virtually eliminated by following simple
• precautions outlined by OSHA called
• Standard Precautions

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OSHA Requirements for Employers

• Offer pre-exposure Hep B vaccinations to anyone
  with routine duties that place an employee at
  risk of blood or body fluid exposure to a blood
  borne pathogen. Post exposure vaccines for all
  others which appears to work as well. (If you are
  unsure if your job qualifies, ask your
  supervisor.)
• Offer personal protective devices, such as
  gloves, goggles, or masks, as a precaution.
• Educate workers to use cautious work practices
  such as standard precautions and judicious
  avoidance to reduce risk of exposure

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Standard Precautions

• Treat everyones blood as though it is infected
  with a blood borne pathogen.

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Judicious Avoidance

• Use judicious avoidance for everyone
• Stay away from blood, and call for help if you do
  not know how to protect yourself
• Use barriers and personal protective devices
  whenever you encounter blood or a potentially
  infectious spill for everyone, or stay away and
  call for help
• Stay away from spills if it is not part of your
  job description or training call for help
• Properly dispose of contaminated materials as
  hazardous waste or check with your supervisor

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Hand Washing

• Use scrupulous hand washing with warm water (cold
  works, too) and soap when hands are dirty or
  contaminated,
• Scrub all hand surfaces for 30 seconds (sing
  Happy Birthday twice) and rinse well
• Use 60 or higher alcohol based hand sanitizers
  if soap and water are not available

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What if I think I was exposed?

• Wash contaminated area immediately and thoroughly
  as described
• If eye splash, rinse eye with lukewarm water,
  water station water, or eye cup or eye bottle
  designed for that purpose for at least 5 min.
• If mouth splash, rinse mouth repeatedly for at
  least five minutes
• Seek medical attention or guidance from the
  school nurse or your medical provider that day
• Notify your supervisor that day

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Summary

• Ask your supervisor if you are eligible for Hep B
  vaccine prophylaxis
• Treat everyone as though they might have a blood
  borne pathogen
• Avoid contact, use barriers, dispose of
  contaminated materials, and call for help
• Use excellent hand washing with soap and water or
  60 or higher alcohol based hand sanitizer
• If you suspect an exposure, clean yourself
  carefully, seek medical guidance assistance that
  day
• Notify your school nurse and supervisor
  immediately

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Questions?

• If you have any questions about blood borne
  pathogens, please contact your school nurse
• If you have any questions about your job
  responsibilities, or your eligibility for
  Hepatitis B prophylaxis, please contact your
  supervisor