Download Bloodborne Pathogens - School District of Holmen

Bloodborne Pathogens
An overview of the OSHA standard
designed to protect you from bloodborne
pathogens
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.
Bloodborne Diseases
Blood can carry many diseases
The 3 most common are
– HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
– HBV (hepatitis B virus)
– HCV (hepatitis C virus)
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HIV attacks the body’s 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 illnesses—cancer, 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
Hepatitis B Virus
Hepatitis--“inflammation of the liver”—can cause serious liver
damage, cirrhosis, and death
Symptoms can be flu-like—fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal
pain, jaundice—and 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
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
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
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
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.
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.
Exposure Control Plan
The School District of Holmen 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 building’s nurse’s
office
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
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
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
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
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
Housekeeping
Contaminated surfaces need to be cleaned as
soon as possible
Never handle sharp objects—broken glass—with
bare hands
Contaminated sharp objects must be placed in a
puncture-resistant container
Custodians trained and equipped to clean up
accidents in the classroom
Engineering Controls
Red cans
– Dispose of contaminated waste-- drippable,
pourable, squeezable-- ONLY
– Located in each nurse’s office
– If you’re in doubt, use the red can
Hepatitis B Vaccine
The District provides this as a benefit for all
employees
If you have not had the vaccine, you will be
given the opportunity again this year
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
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 Personnel and Franciscan
Skemp Healthcare
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
Understanding 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.
Please sign off for Blood Borne Pathogens on
the Annual In-Service Sign Off sheet.