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FHM TRAINING TOOLS
This training presentation is part of FHM’s
commitment to creating and keeping safe
workplaces.
Be sure to check out all the training programs that
are specific to your industry.
ID #16
Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness
Disclaimer: This material is being provided as part of our organization’s on-going commitment to ensuring a safe, respectful and legallycompliant workplace. These materials have been developed in accordance with applicable federal laws and regulations and recognized
best practices in force at the time the materials were created. The materials do not render any legal or professional advice; they are
being provided for educational and informational purposes only. These materials should not be used as a substitute for legal or
professional advice or services.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this presentation, you will:
• Understand the risk presented by bloodborne
pathogens
• Know the procedures for responding to the
potential exposure to blood and other
potentially infectious materials during the
performance of your job
Agenda
Presentation Agenda:
• Overview of the Issue
• Responding to an Exposure
• Your Responsibilities
Section 1
Overview
of the Issue
Bloodborne Pathogens
• Pathogenic microorganisms present in human blood or other
potentially infectious materials (OPIM)
• OPIM = semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial
fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid,
saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly
contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it
is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids
• These microorganisms can infect other people and cause
various diseases
• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most
common chronic bloodborne infection
in the United States
Bloodborne Pathogens Incidence Rates
According to the CDC:
• An estimated 75,000 people become
infected with HBV each year
• An estimated 3.9 million Americans have
been infected with HCV, of whom 2.7
million are chronically infected
• By the end of 2003, approximately 1.1
million persons in the United States were
living with HIV/AIDS, with 24-27%
undiagnosed and unaware of their HIV
status
OSHA estimates that 800 healthcare workers
are infected with HBV every year through
occupational exposure
Who is at Risk?
• Workers whose job requires them to perform tasks
with potential exposure to blood or infectious
materials
• OSHA estimates approximately 5.6 million workers in
healthcare and other facilities are at risk
• However, workers who voluntarily provide first aid and
CPR to injured co-workers also face this risk
• Those workers must also understand risk and
protective measures
The OSHA Standard
•
29 CFR 1910.1030, Occupational
Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens
Goal of Standard is to minimize or eliminate
hazard by using a combination of:
•
Engineering and work practice controls
•
Personal protective clothing and
equipment
•
Training
•
Medical surveillance
•
Hepatitis B vaccinations
•
Signs and labels
Epidemiology of Bloodborne Pathogens
• Many jobs involve potential exposure to blood
or body fluids
• Exposure to these materials may also involve
exposure to pathogens
• These pathogens can cause a variety of
diseases
The three main issues of concern are:
• HIV/AIDS
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis B is the most common serious
liver infection in the world
• It is caused by a virus that attacks the
liver
Most healthy adults that are infected will
recover:
• Only about 10% will develop chronic
infection
• 90% of children will develop chronic
infection
Symptoms include:
• Fever, fatigue, muscle pain
• Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting
Hepatitis C
• An estimated 3.9 million Americans (1.8%) are
infected with HCV
• 2.9 million chronically infected
• 80% have no symptoms
• Symptoms include jaundice,
fatigue, dark urine,
abdominal pain, loss
of appetite, nausea
• Chronic infection
occurs in 55-85%
• Chronic liver disease
occurs in about 70%
of infected persons
• Leading cause of
liver transplants
HIV and AIDS
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the
virus that causes Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome
• HIV infection weakens the immune
system over time leading to opportunistic
infections
• Time between HIV infection and the
appearance of signs that could lead to an
AIDS diagnosis is 8 to 11 years
The CDC estimates that:
• As many as 900,000 people are living
with HIV
• Through 2002 more than 880,000 cases
of AIDS in the United States and more
than 500,000 deaths
Other Bloodborne Pathogens
• The term means any pathogenic
microorganism that is present in human blood
and can cause infection
Other diseases caused by pathogenic
microorganisms include:
•
•
•
•
Malaria
Syphilis
Brucellosis
Relapsing Fever
• Universal Precautions prevents exposure
to all infected materials
Section 2
Responding to an
Exposure
Modes of Transportation
• Pathogens spread from person to person
through contaminated blood and body
fluids
• Direct or indirect contact
Healthcare setting:
• Needlesticks most common
• Cuts from other contaminated sharps
• Contact of mucous membranes or
broken skin with contaminated blood
• Any worker performing first aid, CPR, or
splashed during an accident
Exposure Control Plan
Written plan that identifies:
• Employees covered by the Standard
• What activities involve potential exposure
• How to protect employees from exposure
Reviewed annually to:
• Reflect changes in procedures
• Document consideration of safer medical
devices
Tasks that may Involve Exposure
• Tasks with potential exposure are
identified in the Exposure Control Plan
• Again, consider indirect contact such as
handling red bag waste, contaminated
countertops, blood samples
• Universal Precautions employed for all
such tasks
Use of Engineering Controls
• Controls that isolate or remove the hazard from
the workplace
• Examples include sharps with engineered
sharp injury protection and needleless systems
• Must be the primary means of eliminating or
minimizing exposure
• Comprehensive program includes
engineering controls and proper work
practices
• Personal protective equipment usage only
after engineering controls and work
practices have been incorporated
Personal Protective Equipment
• Utilized after engineering controls and
work practices have been implemented
• Employer must purchase, provide, and
launder
• If lab coats and ‘scrubs’ are intended to
protect the employee’s body from
contamination, they are considered PPE
and cannot be taken home by the
employee for cleaning
• Employer must state the personal
protective equipment requirements for
each task that involves potential
exposure
Hepatitis B Vaccination Program
• Required to be offered to employees working in
jobs with potential exposure
• Not required to be offered to workers unless
their job requires them to perform work with
potential exposure
• Employees make choice on whether to receive
vaccination
• The protocol is established by the U.S. Public
Health Service – currently three shots over a
six-month period
Disinfection and Spill Response
Disinfection issues:
• Efficacy
• Contact time
• Frequency
Spill response procedures:
• Secure the area
• Access spill response kit
• Wear the right protective equipment
• Disinfect the area
Responding to an Exposure
If an exposure does occur on the job:
• If a puncture wound, force wound to bleed
• Wash exposed area with soap and water
• Flush splashes to nose, mouth, or skin with
water
• Irrigate eyes with water or saline
• Report the exposure
• Seek medical help immediately
Post-Exposure Follow Up
• Employer must provide for an immediate
confidential medical evaluation following
an occupational exposure
• Same requirement does not apply to
“Good Samaritan” acts
• Employer not required to provide
vaccine, training, post-exposure
consultation, and other measures
• OSHA encourages employers to do so
Signs and Labels
Required for:
• Containers of regulated waste
• Refrigerators and freezers used to store blood
• On containers used to store, transport, or ship
blood or OPIM
Not required for:
• Blood and blood products bearing a label
specified by the Food and Drug
Administration
• Individual containers used for blood draw
or lab procedures on blood samples
provided larger container used for
transport is labeled
Section 3
Your
Responsibilities
Your Responsibilities
Exposure to blood and body fluids is not
anticipated during the performance of your
job:
• Understand the situations where
exposure might occur
• Follow Universal Precautions
• Report any exposure incident
immediately
Additional Reading
Some additional references:
• OSHA website http://www.osha.gov
• Guideline for Environmental Infection Control for
Health-Care Facilities. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), (2003)
• Guidelines for Protecting the Safety and Health of
Health Care Workers. National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Publication No. 88-119, (1988)