Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan Education is the Key!

A Staff Presentation For your safety...

What are Bloodborne Pathogens? O Micro-organisms present in blood or bodily fluids (semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, and saliva) which cause disease O The three most dangerous bloodborne pathogens are HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C; all three are caused by viruses.

What is a Virus? O Very primitive, very small germ, invisible to the eye. O Can enter body through a cut in the skin, through the eye or mouth O Can also be transmitted sexually

O HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s ability to protect itself against disease. O HIV causes AIDS, a disease that has no cure. photo from aids.gov

O HIV is spread through contact with blood and/or other bodily fluids. photo from aids.gov

O Can be spread through blood, body fluids or sexual activity O Causes inflammation of the liver, which is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections O Can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness O Can result in cirrhosis, cancer, or death

O Not everyone has symptoms, especially young children. Most adults have symptoms that appear within 3 months of exposure. O Symptoms include: O Fever O Fatigue O Loss of appetite O Nausea and/or Vomiting O Abdominal pain O Grey-colored stools O Dark urine O Joint pain O Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

O Another bloodborne virus that damages the liver O Hepatitis C is the most common chronic (long-term) bloodborne infection. O Many who are infected have no symptoms O If symptoms occur with acute infection, they can appear anytime from 2 weeks to 6 months after exposure.

O Symptoms of chronic Hepatitis C can take up to 30 years to develop O Damage to the liver can silently occur during this time. O When symptoms do appear, they are similar to those listed earlier for Hepatitis B and often are a sign of advanced liver disease. O There is NO vaccine to prevent a Hepatitis C infection.

How are Bloodborne Pathogens Spread on the Job? Accidents that break the skin: Broken glass Sharp metal Needles Knives Exposed wires Indirect transfer of blood or bodily fluid to your: Mouth Eyes Nose Open cut

How Can You Prevent Infection? Understand the dangers & know how to protect yourself from those dangers!

5 Tactics to Reduce Your Risk 1. Dispose of waste containing blood and/or other bodily fluids properly. O Wear gloves when handling O Needles, lancets and other “sharps” should be disposed of in a special “sharps” container (usually located in the clinic), to avoid accidental puncture/exposure of others O Guidelines for use of biohazard bags vs. regular trash?

5 Tactics to Reduce Your Risk 2. Practice good hand-washing /personal hygiene measures and learn to correctly (and safely) administer first aid without contaminating yourself with blood or bodily fluids.

Hand Washing is Important! O Wash thoroughly with soap/water as soon as gloves are removed O Immediately wash hands if there is direct contact with blood O Only use hand-sanitizers as a temporary measure (make sure at least 60% alcohol content)

Personal Hygiene is Important! O Unless you’ve just washed your hands, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. O Apply cosmetics, lip balms, and contact lenses away from risk areas O Keep food and drinks away from high risk areas

5 Tactics to Reduce Your Risk

Important Info Regarding Gloves

5 Tactics to Reduce Your Risk 4. Good housekeeping O Clean all equipment and working surfaces with disinfectant/bleach after contact with body fluids O Clean-up broken glass with tongs or broom and dustpan (wear gloves) O Use sharps containers O Handle soiled laundry as little as possible

Clean-up of Body Fluids O Includes wearing appropriate protective equipment O Includes using a bleach or disinfecting solution O Includes disinfecting mops and cleaning tools

5. Vaccination O Protect yourself-vaccinate against a Hepatitis B infection! 5 Tactics to Reduce Your Risk

Remember… O Allow students to care for their own wounds whenever possible pinch own nose in case of bleeding wash own wounds apply own Band-Aid O When you must assist… wear gloves wash hands with soap & water immediately afterwards

What if exposure occurs?

The End Thanks!