BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

1. BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

2. What Are Bloodborne Pathogens? • Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria that are carried in blood and can cause disease in people

3. Bloodborne Diseases • HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus causes AIDS - no cure or vaccination • HBV: Hepatitis B virus causes liver disease - vaccination available • Non-A or Non-B Hepatitis • Syphilis • Malaria

4. HBV Or Hepatitis • Inflammation of the liver - most common bloodborne disease • Is transmitted primarily through "blood to blood" contact • Symptoms range from flu-like to none at all • No symptoms - person is infectious and can spread the disease. Can survive in dried blood for up to seven days • Hepatitis infects about 300,000 people in USA annually • Can lead to serious conditions such as cirrhosis & liver cancer

5. HBV Symptoms • Mild flu-like symptoms • Fatigue • Possible stomach pain • Loss of appetite • Nausea • Jaundice • Darkened urine

6. Hepatitis B Vaccinations Employees who have routine exposure to bloodborne pathogens shall be offered the Hepatitis B vaccine series at no cost unless: • They have previously received the vaccine series • Antibody testing has revealed they are immune • The vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons

7. Vaccination Process • Series of three shots. • 2nd shot is given one month after the 1st • 3rd shot follows 5 months after the 2nd. This series gradually builds up the body's immunity to the Hepatitis B virus.

8. HIV or AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome • Attacks the body’s immune system and weakens it, preventing it from fighting other diseases • 35,000 people are infected annually • An infected person may carry the virus for years before symptoms appear • No cure and no vaccine at present

9. HIV & Direct Contact • The HIV virus is very fragile and will not survive very long outside of the human body. It is primarily of concern to employees providing first aid or medical care in situations involving fresh blood or other potentially infectious materials.

10. Means Of Transmission • Sexual contact with an infected partner • Sharing infected needles • Accidentally cutting yourself with a sharp object that is contaminated • Infected blood or body fluid on skin with open cuts, sores • Getting contaminated blood or body fluid in eyes, mouth

11. Protect Yourself • Universal Precautions • Treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious • Skin protects from pathogens - cuts, dermatitis, chapping, small cracks allow germs to enter the body • First aid - use gloves, have as little contact as possible with blood or body fluids • Wash hands with antibacterial soap after contact • After contact, flush eyes and face with fresh water for several minutes

12. Clean-up And Housekeeping • After an accident, the entire area must be cleaned with disinfectant • Cleaning equipment must be disinfected • Wear gloves while cleaning, apron or goggles if appropriate • Restrict access to the area • Use disposable towels - dispose of properly

13. Other Exposure Hazards • Cleaning surfaces contaminated with blood, vomit feces • ALWAYS wear gloves and protective apron or clothing • Be alert for sharp objects, broken glassware, used syringes in trash • Do not pick up broken glass - use brush or broom & dustpan • Dispose of glass, sharp objects safely • Laundry - bloody or contaminated linens or sharp objects

14. Signs & Labels Warning labels must be placed on containers of regulated waste, refrigerators and freezers containing blood or other potentially infectious material; and other containers used to store, transport, or ship blood or other potentially infectious materials.

15. Regulated Waste • Any liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials. • Contaminated items that would release blood or other potentially infectious materials in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed. • Items that are caked with dried blood or other potentially infectious materials

16. Emergencies • In an emergency situation, always use Universal Precautions • Minimize your exposure by wearing • Gloves • Splash goggles • Pocket mouth-to-mouth resuscitation masks • Other barrier devices

17. Common Sense Rules • Wash hands & remove protective clothing before eating, drinking, smoking, handling contact lenses, or cosmetics • Use antibacterial soap • Keep hands away from eyes, nose, mouth while cleaning • Frequent hand washing is best defense against spreading infection

18. If You Are Exposed • Wash the exposed area thoroughly with soap and running water. • Use non-abrasive, antibacterial soap • Flush mouth, nose, eyes for 15 minutes if blood is splashed in mucous membranes

19. Other Actions If Exposed • Report the exposure to your supervisor • Fill out an exposure report form • Request blood testing & Hepatitis B vaccination

20. PPE The best protection against exposure is to ensure you are wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). For example, you may have noticed that emergency medical personnel, doctors, nurses, dentists, dental assistants, and other health care professionals always wear latex or protective gloves. To protect yourself, it is essential to have a barrier between you and the potentially infectious material.

21. Rules To Follow: • Treat all blood or potentially infectious body fluids as if they are contaminated. • Always wear personal protective equipment in exposure situations. • Replace PPE that is torn or punctured. • Remove PPE before leaving the work area. • Properly disinfect or dispose of used PPE • Wash hands immediately after removing PPE

22. Gloves • Gloves should be made of latex, nitril, rubber, or other water impervious materials. • Inspect gloves before use • Double gloving can provide an additional layer of protection. • If you have cuts or sores on your hands, you should cover these with a bandage or similar protection as an additional precaution before donning your gloves. • Don’t touch the outside of used gloves

23. Other PPE • Use goggles if there is a risk of splashing or vaporization of contaminated fluids • Face shields provide additional face protection for the nose and mouth. • Aprons protect

24. Contaminated Clothing • Remove clothing that is contaminated with blood as soon as possible • Use Universal Precautions when handling contaminated laundry • Place clothing in approved & labeled bags or containers

25. Summary • Protect yourself on and off the job - know the facts • Practice good personal hygiene • Use gloves and protective clothing • Wash your hands often, after work or exposure • Keep areas clean - report problems immediately to supervisors