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 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 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 considered at risk for exposure  If you have not had the vaccine, and would like to receive it,please see the nurse.

 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 Krohn Clinic or Black River Memorial Hospital

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

Signature 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.

Name Date

Please return this form to Randi Arneson