BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

THE HERBERT H. AND GRACE A. DOW COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS

OBJECTIVES

 After reviewing this module, the Health Professions student will be able to:
 Define Bloodborne Pathogen
 Describe how transmission occurs
 Identify potentially infectious materials
 Explain the significance of exposure incidents
 Describe how to limit the risk of exposure of a bloodborne pathogen
 Explain how to respond to an exposure
BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS STANDARD

 Required by OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) (20

CFR 1910.1030)
 Published December 1991, effective March 1992
 Applies to employees in all industries who may be exposed to blood or
other potentially infectious materials (OPIM)
WHAT ARE BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS?

 Microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria that are present in human blood and
can cause disease in humans.
 Of most concern are:
 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
 Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
 Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV)

The virus which causes AIDS

Devastates the body’s immune system
An estimated 1.2 million persons live with HIV/AIDS in the U.S.; 39,513
new cases in 2015
Symptoms: flu like illness, weakness, diarrhea, weight loss
Signs of the illness may not be present for years
AIDS is chronic and fatal
No effective vaccine exists
HEPATITIS B (HBV)

 Attacks the liver

 Survives in dried blood for up to one week at room temperature
 The CDC investigations report approximately 850,000 HBV-infected
persons in the United States
 Symptoms: fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia
 Can be chronic and fatal with approximately 2,000 deaths annually
HEPATITIS C (HCV)

 Can lead to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer, in 75% of cases
 Approximately 4 million people infected in the U.S., with only about
25% diagnosed
 Approximately 12,000 deaths annually
 No effective vaccine exists
POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS MATERIALS

 Blood
 Human bodily fluids such as:
 Semen, vaginal secretions, lung fluid

 Any bodily fluid containing visible blood, such as involved in dental procedures
 Any bodily fluid that cannot be identified
HOW ARE DISEASES TRANSMITTED?

 Puncture wounds caused by sharp objects

 Infectious materials contacting mucous
membranes of eyes, nose and mouth
 Infectious materials contacting open wounds,
cuts, broken or damaged skin
POSSIBLE EXPOSURE INCIDENTS

 During an incident where bodily fluids are present

 While administering first aid
 During post-accident clean-up
 When performing medical procedures, such as blood draw
EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

 If exposures to blood or other body fluids are reasonably anticipated, an

organization is required by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to develop an
Exposure Control Plan. The Exposure Control Plan (ECP) identifies the
following:
 Universal Precautions
 Engineering controls
 Work practice controls
 Post-exposure follow-up
EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

 Universal precautions:
 Treat all human blood and bodily fluids as if they are infected with HIV, HBV,
HCV and other bloodborne pathogens
EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN
Engineering Controls – Controls that isolate or Work Practice Controls – Procedures that
remove the bloodborne pathogen hazard from reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering
the workplace. the way in which a task is performed
 Handwashing facilities  Personal protective equipment (PPE)
 Biohazard waste bags  First aid response
 Sharps disposal containers  Spill clean-up
 Spill/Clean up kits  Laundry
 Tongs for picking up hazardous objects  Waste disposal
 Exposure response
WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS

 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

 Equipment worn to minimize exposure to bloodborne pathogens and includes
gloves, gowns, eye protection, and masks.
 Limitations include the hazard is still present even with PPE, the use is dependent
on human behavior and proper fitting is essential
 Rules:
 Must remove PPE before leaving work area
 Hands must be washed properly after removing
 Contaminated PPE must be disposed of properly
WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS

 First Aid Response:

 Adopt Universal Precautions
 Encourage self-care
 Use PPE properly
 Avoid contact, including apply pressure, without a barrier
WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS

 Housekeeping: Spill Clean-Up

 Use PPE & Universal Precautions
 Cover spill or area with paper towel or rags
 Pour disinfectant solution over towels or rags
 Refer to disinfectant’s label for contact time
 Place materials in appropriate container
 Arrange for pick-up and disposal
WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS

 Housekeeping: Waste Disposal

 Precautions include:
 Use PPE when handling
 Use leak-proof containers
 Proper labeling – use labels and red bags or containers
 Know where there are approved drop off sites
WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS

 Exposure Incident Response

 Contact with skin: Immediately wash exposed areas with antibacterial soap and
running water
 Contact with eyes or mucous membranes: Immediately flush affected area with
running water for at least 15 minutes. Know where the eye-wash stations are located
at your site.
 Contact with clothing: Immediately remove contaminated clothing, wash underlying
skin
 ALWAYS report exposure to a supervisor immediately
 Obtain consultation with medical provider within 24 hours
EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

 An Exposure Control Plan must:

 Be Department Specific
 Be reviewed annually
 Contain a summary of training programs available in affected job classifications
 Include task specific Standard Operating Procedures which would include:
 Recognition of exposure
 PPE selection, use, maintenance, and disposal
 Contingency plans
 Post Exposure Evaluation
EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

 Post-Exposure Evaluation includes:

 Confidential medical evaluation and follow-up after exposure incident
 Identify and document source and circumstances of exposure
 Test source individual’s blood for HIV/HBV/HCV
 Provide blood sample
 Healthcare professional’s written opinion of incident
INFORMATION AND EDUCATION

 Exposure Determination:
 Exposure determination is completed by a direct supervisor/director and involves
evaluating routine and reasonably anticipated tasks and procedures to determine whether
there is actual or reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or other potentially infectious
material.
 Individuals are classified as either A or B and are informed at the start of their assignment
 Category A: involves exposure or reasonably anticipated exposure during routine and non-
routine required tasks.
 Category B: does not require tasks that involve exposure to blood or OPIM

 Worksites provide annual training at no cost

INFORMATION AND EDUCATION

 Why worksites do not have 100% compliance with Bloodborne

Pathogens control:
 Lack of continual training
 Busy, hectic, and rushing of job duties
 Decreased awareness of hazards
 Complacency – “Won’t happen to me….”
WHAT’S NEXT?

 Before receiving credit for the Bloodborne Pathogens module, you must:
 Successfully complete the BBP Quiz
 You may take the quiz as many times as needed to meet the passing grade of at least an
85%.
 Your BBP certificate is good for one year
 It is recommended that you print or electronically
save your certificate