Bloodborne Pathogens

1
Bloodborne Pathogens

• An overview of the OSHA standard designed to
  protect you from bloodborne pathogens

2
Introduction

• Exposure to bloodborne pathogens can occur
  anywhere including your workplace.
• Infection on the job most often occurs by direct
  exposure to blood.
• At school, your risk is low because contact with
  blood is infrequent--but still possible.

3
Bloodborne Diseases

• Blood can carry many diseases
• The 3 most common are
• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
• HBV (hepatitis B virus)
• HCV (hepatitis C virus)

4
Human Immunodeficiency Virus

• HIV attacks the bodys immune system
• A person can be infected with HIV and take years
  to develop symptoms
• Symptoms can be flu-like--fatigue, fever,
  diarrhea
• A person infected with HIV will develop AIDS
  and/or AIDS related illnessescancer,
  neurological problems, opportunistic infections
• HIV is transmitted through sexual contact or
  contact with blood and other body fluids
• There is NO vaccine to prevent HIV

5
Hepatitis B Virus

• Hepatitis--inflammation of the livercan cause
  serious liver damage, cirrhosis, and death
• Symptoms can be flu-likefatigue, nausea,
  vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundiceand can become
  so severe that hospitalization is needed or a
  person may have NO symptoms at all
• A person without symptoms may not know that he is
  infected
• HBV can be transmitted by blood, saliva and other
  body fluids
• HBV can be transmitted to family members, sexual
  partners and unborn infants

6
Hepatitis C Virus

• HCV also affects the liver
• Symptoms may be flu-like as with HBV
• 75 of people with HCV have NO symptoms and 85
  of these will develop chronic liver disease
• A blood test is needed to determine if the virus
  is HBV or HCV
• HCV is the 1 indicator for liver transplant
• There is NO vaccine to prevent HCV

7
Transmission

• Bloodborne diseases are found in
• Blood
• Other body fluids containing visible blood
• Semen or vaginal secretions
• Loose or torn skin
• Bloodborne diseases can enter the body through
• Open cuts, abrasions, nicks in the skin
• Dermatitis
• Acne
• Mucous membranes of eyes, mouth or nose

8
Transmission

• Infection can be spread by injury from a
  contaminated object such as
• Broken glass
• Needles
• Knives or other sharp metals
• Indirectly, a person can transmit bloodborne
  diseases by touching an infected surface or
  object and transferring the disease to their
• eyes
• nose
• mouth
• open skin

9
Transmission

• A major source for transmission of hepatitis is
  contaminated surfaces.
• HBV can survive for at least one week on
  environmental surfaces at room temperature.

10
Standard Precautions

• All persons are treated the same regardless of
  age, sex, socioeconomic class or geographic
  location.
• Every person and every body fluid is treated as a
  potential source of infectious disease.

11
Exposure Control Plan

• The School District has developed its own
  Exposure Control Plan
• The Plan
• Identifies all staff involved
• Identifies potential risks with each job
• Determines ways to decrease risk of exposure to
  bloodborne pathogens on the job
• A copy is found in each buildings office

12
Protect Yourself

• 5 strategies to decrease the risk of exposure to
  bloodborne pathogens
• Work Practice Controls
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Housekeeping
• Engineering Controls
• Hepatitis B Vaccine

13
Work Practice Controls

• Wash your hands
• After glove removal
• If you have direct contact with blood
• Personal Hygiene
• Do not consume food or beverage or apply make-up
  where occupational exposure is likely
• Minimize splashing, spraying, or generation of
  droplets when blood is involved
• Do not store food or beverage where it could come
  in contact with blood or other infectious
  materials

14
Personal Protective Equipment

• Types of PPE
• Gloves
• Gowns
• Protective eyewear
• Masks
• Resuscitation devices
• The use of PPE is determined by the amount of
  anticipated exposure
• The District provides any equipment that is needed

15
Personal Protective Equipment

• General Rules
• PPE must be appropriate for task
• PPE must fit properly
• PPE must be free from defects
• PPE must be used each time there is contact with
  potentially infectious materials
• Training on the use of PPE must occur

16
Personal Protective Equipment

• Gloves
• Must be worn when dealing with blood or other
  potentially infectious materials
• Use once and dispose
• Replace if torn or damaged
• Wash your hands when task is done
• Cover cuts and abrasions with band-aids first
• Utility gloves may be decontaminated and reused
  if they are intact

17
Housekeeping

• Contaminated surfaces need to be cleaned as soon
  as possible
• Never handle sharp objectsbroken glasswith bare
  hands
• Contaminated sharp objects must be placed in a
  puncture-resistant container
• Custodians trained and equipped to clean up
  accidents in the classroom

18
Engineering Controls

• Red cans
• Dispose of contaminated waste-- drippable,
  pourable, squeezable-- ONLY
• Located in each nurses office
• If youre in doubt, use the red can

19
Hepatitis B Vaccine

• The District provides this as a benefit for all
  employees considered at risk for exposure
• If you have not had the vaccine, and would like
  to receive it,please see the nurse.
• If you have an exposure and have not had the
  vaccine, you can begin the series within 24 hours
  (and complete it) to acquire protection

20
Exposure

• Notify your supervisor and/or the nurse
• You are entitled to
• A confidential medical evaluation
• Blood tests
• Post-exposure treatment if available
• Follow-up counseling
• This is coordinated through Krohn Clinic or Black
  River Memorial Hospital

21
Summary

• Treat everyone the same
• Anticipate your exposure
• Protect yourself--use the appropriate equipment
• Get the Hepatitis B vaccine series
• Familiarize yourself with the ECP

22
Signature page

• I have received and read the information
  pertaining to Bloodborne Pathogens.
• I understand that if I have any questions
  regarding this information I should contact a
  District nurse.
• Name Date
• Please return this form to Randi Arneson