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Bloodborne Pathogens
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Bloodborne
Pathogens
Universal
Precautions
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Introduction
In this environment we deal with bloodborne pathogens
every day - and we do so successfully because we all clearly
understand the consequences.
Everyone, no matter what your
occupation, could encounter
bloodborne pathogens. To protect
yourself, it is vital that you understand
what bloodborne pathogens are and
the potential hazards they pose. And it
is easy to keep yourself protected when
you utilize these two simple things:
common sense and universal
precautions.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
In this presentation we will discuss:
• What bloodborne pathogens are
• Diseases that could be transmitted
• Potential exposure routes
• How to protect yourself and
• What to do if exposure does occur
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Bloodborne Pathogens
What Bloodborne Pathogens Are
Bloodborne pathogens are infectious materials found in blood
and other bodily fluids that cause disease in humans.
These materials can be transmitted through
contact with contaminated blood and semen
and vaginal secretions. Bloodborne
pathogens may also be present in other
body fluids like: urine, feces, nasal
secretions, breast milk, vomit, tears,
perspiration, and saliva. It is important to
note here that if there is no visible trace of
blood in these body fluids, the risk of
disease transmission is extremely small.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
What Bloodborne Pathogens Are
People at a higher risk of being exposed to
bloodborne pathogens include healthcare
workers, dental workers, laboratory
technicians, law enforcement personnel,
firefighters, housekeeping personnel,
medical waste treatment employees, anyone
providing first aid or emergency care to
injured personnel, persons with more than
one sexual partner, and injection drug users.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Diseases That Could Be Transmitted
While the odds of contracting a bloodborne pathogen are
small, their potential danger is great.
There are many diseases that can be
transmitted by bloodborne pathogens
including, HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and
other pathogens such as those that cause
malaria and syphilis. Although HIV is the
best known, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are
the most common bloodborne pathogen
diseases transmitted in the United States,
with Hepatitis B much more common than
Hepatitis at this time.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Diseases That Could Be Transmitted
 HIV
Let’s take a quick look at these three
 Hepatitis B
transmittable diseases, starting with
 Hepatitis C
 Hepatitis A
HIV. As you are probably aware, HIV
 Leptospirosis
or the human immunodeficiency
 Bruccellosis
virus causes AIDS. The virus attacks
 Malaria
your immune system and leaves you
 Babesiosis
vulnerable to other types of diseases
 Syphilis
 Relapsing Fever
like cancer and pneumonia.
 Viral Hemorrhagic Fever
 Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Diseases That Could Be Transmitted
Many people live with HIV without
showing any symptoms and the
only way to know if a person is
infected is a blood test.
The same is true of Hepatitis.
Both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C
are contagious liver diseases that
cause an inflammation of the liver.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Diseases That Could Be Transmitted
Early symptoms are a lot like a mild
flu, including: fatigue, nausea,
abdominal pain and vomiting. Extreme
fatigue is a very common symptom of
Hepatitis C. Both Hepatitis B and
Hepatitis C can be either acute or
chronic. Acute Hepatitis B and Hepatitis
C are short-term illnesses that occur
within the first 6 months after someone
is exposed to the Hepatitis B virus or
the Hepatitis C virus, respectively.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Diseases That Could Be Transmitted
Acute Hepatitis B can sometimes lead to chronic Hepatitis B infection,
which is a long-term illness that occurs when the Hepatitis B virus
remains in a person’s body. Chronic Hepatitis B is a serious disease that
can result in long-term health problems and even death. Fortunately, a
vaccine is available for Hepatitis B.
If you are exposed to blood and other potentially infectious materials on a
regular basis as part of your job, the Hepatitis B vaccines will be made
available to you, by your employer, at no cost. More than 90% of those
vaccinated will develop immunity to Hepatitis B. Acute Hepatitis C
infection, however, often leads to chronic infection. Chronic Hepatitis C is
a serious disease that can result in long-term health problems, and even
death. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Diseases That Could Be Transmitted
Although HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are the
three most commonly transmitted diseases, they
are not the only bloodborne pathogens that can
be transmitted. That’s why it’s important to
protect yourself from exposure to blood and
other potentially infectious materials.
Key Point: More than 90% of those
vaccinated will develop immunity to
Hepatitis B. Unfortunately there is not
vaccine for Hepatitis C.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Potential Exposure Routes
So, how does the everyday Joe or Jane become exposed to
bloodborne pathogens? It’s simple really…
The human skin acts as a natural barrier to
bloodborne pathogens. Bloodborne pathogens on
the skin can be washed away, without harm to
the individual.
But, when a bloodborne pathogen finds a way
THROUGH the skin - through a body opening or a
break in the skin - you could become infected.
Examples of breaks in the skin include cuts,
scrapes, abrasions, acne or open sores. Also,
body openings such as the eyes, mouth and nose
can become routes of entry if contaminated
material is splashed or sprayed into them.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Potential Exposure Routes
Contaminated material can also find a
way into the body through a secondary
means, such as when a person touches
a contaminated tool and then touches
their eyes, mouth, nose or open cut.
For medical workers, one of the most
common methods of exposure is by a
needle stick.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Potential Exposure Routes
In other work environments, however, the
biggest threat of exposure to bloodborne
pathogens comes from skin punctures by
contaminated sharp objects.
For instance, an infected person could get cut
on a sharp piece of metal or glass. The metal
or glass would then most likely become
contaminated with blood. That same sharp
piece of metal or glass could then cut you. The
other person’s blood could then mix with yours
and possibly infect you.
It’s for situations like this that you need to
utilize a little bit of common sense and take
universal precautions to protect yourself!
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Bloodborne Pathogens
How To Protect Yourself
As the saying goes, “it’s better to be safe, than sorry.”
That’s why, if you are routinely exposed to
blood or other potentially infectious materials
in your workplace, a written exposure control
plan will be made available to you.
The plan is designed to eliminate or cut down
the risk of exposure to employees, like health
care workers. It is reviewed and updated at
least once a year and whenever necessary to
include new or modified procedures which
concern job exposure. If you have questions
and a plan is required in your area, talk to
your supervisor.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
How To Protect Yourself
The big question to ask right now is,
“How do you know if someone is
infected with a bloodborne
pathogen?” And the common sense
answer is: you don’t. So what should
you do? How do you protect yourself?
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Bloodborne Pathogens
How To Protect Yourself
Take “Universal Precautions”, meaning treat
all blood and other body fluids as if they are
infectious, because you just don’t know.
And because you don’t know who is
infected and who isn’t, it is vital to use
personal protective equipment, work
practice controls and engineering controls
to reduce exposure risks for all employees.
Personal protective equipment, or PPE, acts
as a barrier between you and infectious
substances. It should be used whenever
there’s a potential for exposure, such as
when attending to an injured co-worker and
when handling or disposing of contaminated
objects or materials.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
How To Protect Yourself
First aid or emergency response teams
wear gloves and use CPR pocket masks
or resuscitation bags to ensure that
blood or other potentially infectious
material does not make contact with
their skin. You should do the same.
ALWAYS wear gloves when there is any
potential for hand contact with blood or
body fluids.
Before putting gloves on, check for
holes, tears or punctures. Do not reuse
disposable gloves. Utility gloves may be
decontaminated and used again. If they
are cracked, peeling, torn or punctured,
however, do not reuse them.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
How To Protect Yourself
In more extreme medical fields, goggles, masks,
glasses with solid side shields and chin length face
shields used in conjunction with safety glasses or
goggles protect the eyes, nose and mouth from
potentially infectious materials. Utilize work
practice controls. Clean the affected area, any
contaminated tools and any other items that may
have been contaminated with a solution of ten
parts water to one part common household bleach
to effectively decontaminate the area. Remember
to wear gloves and safety glasses to avoid direct
contact with material that might be infected.
If you’re dealing with broken glass, use a broom
and a dustpan, or a pair of tongs to pick up the
glass - do NOT use your hands. Bring the trash
container to the broken glass, instead of carrying
the glass across the room.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
How To Protect Yourself
If there is any possibility that the glass could be
contaminated with blood or infectious material,
dispose of it in an appropriate puncture resistant and
leak-proof sharps container marked with a biohazard
label. Healthcare professionals, and in some cases
other employees, may need to use needles and
other sharp objects for medical purposes.
In such cases, utilizing engineering controls like
specially designed sharps containers is necessary.
Needles and other sharp objects must be placed in
these sharps containers. Sharps containers are
generally orange or red-orange in color, puncture
resistant, leak proof and marked with the biohazard
label. To avoid being exposed to a needle stick,
NEVER recap a needle and NEVER reach into a
sharps container.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
How To Protect Yourself
Once you’ve finished your clean-up, remove
your personal protective clothing and
equipment before leaving the work area. Place
it in designated regulated waste containers for
storage, decontamination or disposal.
Remember to keep all regulated waste
containers, any refrigerators or freezers that
may contain blood or other potentially
infectious materials, and any other containers
used to store, transport or ship blood or
possibly infected materials marked properly
with red or orange-red biohazard labels.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
How To Protect Yourself
Once you’ve finished your clean-up, remove
your personal protective clothing and
equipment before leaving the work area.
Place it in designated regulated waste
containers for storage, decontamination or
disposal. Remember to keep all regulated
waste containers, any refrigerators or freezers
that may contain blood or other potentially
infectious materials, and any other containers
used to store, transport or ship blood or
possibly infected materials marked properly
with red or orange-red biohazard labels.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
How To Protect Yourself
Once you’ve removed your gloves,
wash your hands thoroughly with soap
and water. Since your skin is a barrier
to bloodborne pathogens, you’ll want
to keep it clean. Washing your hands
frequently is an important way to
prevent exposure. By utilizing
universal precautions, personal
protective equipment, workplace
controls and engineering controls, you
greatly reduce your risk of exposure to
bloodborne pathogens.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
What To Do If Exposure Does Occur
If you are exposed to potentially infected material, immediately
wash the area of your body where exposure has occurred with soap
and water.
Then report the incident to your
supervisor or other proper personnel.
You and your supervisor should
document the incident immediately. If
you’ve exposed to Hepatitis B and you
haven’t been vaccinated, you can still
get the vaccination. If you get the
vaccine within 24 hours, Hepatitis B
infection may be prevented. That’s why
immediately reporting any exposure is
extremely important.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
What To Do If Exposure Does Occur
A blood test can be performed to
determine if you have become infected.
Your employer will be notified if a test is
performed. However, all medical records
will be kept confidential. No matter what
the outcome of the test, the results will not
be made available to your employer.
Remember, use common sense. If you are
exposed to blood or other potentially
infectious materials, wash the exposed
area immediately, report the incident and
get tested and/or vaccinated!
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Summary
In this presentation, we’ve looked at what
bloodborne pathogens are and how
bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted
from one person to another. We’ve learned
how to prevent exposure in the workplace,
and what to do if exposure does occur.
Diseases caused by bloodborne pathogens
can be very serious and you don’t know
who could be infected. By utilizing both
common sense and universal precautions,
the chances of being infected in the
workplace will remain minimal.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Contact us at:
1-800-842-0466
or at
[email protected]
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