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© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Bloodborne Pathogens— The Case of the Potential Needlestick P O W E R P O I N T ® T R A I N I N G © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0908

Bloodborne Pathogens  Disease causing microorganisms present in human blood  Human Immuno- deficiency Virus (HIV)  Hepatitis B  Hepatitis C

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Take a Look at the Facts  Licensed practical nurse (LPN) working in a hospital  Contracts infectious hepatitis  No specific needlestick is documented  She cares for patients later diagnosed with hepatitis

Take a Look at the Facts (cont.)  Employee tests positive for non-A and non-B hepatitis  She develops cirrhosis, then liver failure  She dies four years after positive hepatitis test © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0908

What Do You Think Went Wrong?  How do you think she became infected?  Why was no exposure incident report filed?  Do you think this worker assumed all her patients carried bloodborne pathogens?  What can healthcare professionals do to prevent needlestick injuries?  Do you think the hospital had an Exposure Control Plan?

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Let’s Review the Causes  Possible needlestick incident  Safe needlestick practices may not have been followed  If there was an incident, it was not reported  Hospital Exposure Control Plan not followed  PPE possibly not worn

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Transmission of BBPs  Contact with potentially infectious body fluids  Mucous membranes: eyes, nose, mouth  Nonintact skin  Contaminated needles or sharps

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc  Treat all blood and body fluids as if contaminated  Wear protective clothing Keys to Controlling Exposure  Clean contaminated equipment and work surfaces  Dispose of medical waste properly  Report potential exposure incidents

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Don’t Let It Happen to You  Use universal precautions  Understand potential exposure in the workplace  Protect your skin and mucous membranes  Dispose of sharps and other medical waste  Disinfect tools and work surfaces  Immediately wash if exposed  Report exposure

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc Quiz 1.Describe the main concept of “Universal Precautions.” 2.What solution can you make to disinfect equipment and work surfaces? 3.Name one way you might be exposed to human blood in your workplace. 4.What does the term “bloodborne pathogens” mean?

Quiz (cont.) 5.Name two symptoms of hepatitis B. 6.How are bloodborne pathogens transmitted? 7.How should you protect yourself when doing first aid on a bleeding victim? 8.Why should you report potential exposure incidents? © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0908

Quiz Answers 1.Q.Describe the main concept of “Universal Precautions.” A.Treat all blood and body fluids as if contaminated with bloodborne pathogens. 2.Q.What solution can you make to disinfect equipment and work surfaces? A.Bleach and water.

Quiz Answers (cont.) 3.Q.Name one way you might be exposed to human blood in your workplace. A.Responding to an injury, cleaning up contaminated equipment,handling needles, etc. 4.Q.What does the term “bloodborne pathogens” mean? A.Disease-causing microorganisms found in human blood. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0908

Quiz Answers (cont.) 5.Q.Name two symptoms of hepatitis B. A.Jaundice, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, liver disease. 6.Q.How are bloodborne pathogens transmitted? A.Mucous membranes, broken skin, injection. 7.Q.How should you protect yourself when doing first aid on a bleeding victim? A.Wear gloves and eye protection. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0908

Quiz Answers (cont.) 8.Q.Why should you report potential exposure incidents? A.Medical evaluation and treatment. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0908