Southside Community Services BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN FACTS

Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (BBP) Written by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Title 29 of the code of Federal Regulations (29 CPR1910.1030) Purpose: To protect you and to reduce the risks for occupational exposure to disease. Describes policies and practices that employers must establish to protect employees who have contact with blood/body fluids in their job.

Bloodborne Pathogens Standards (BBP) The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard describes important strategies that can reduce the risk of infection on the job. These include the following: Exposure Control Plan Engineering Controls Work Practice Controls Standard Precautions/Personal Protective Equipment Housekeeping Hepatitis B Vaccine Occupational Exposure Follow-up

Blood Born Pathogens what are they???? Disease causing microorganisms that may be present in human blood or other potentially infectious material. Treat all blood and/or body fluids as if they are infectious. Some examples of pathogens are the following: HIV, Hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis B Serious Liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus. The virus can survive in dried blood on a surface for 7 days. 800,000 chronically infected Some individuals infected have no symptoms. Treatment is available to keep the virus in control. Vaccine is available & offered by the employer to all employees who have been identified as having potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens. (series of three injections), if any dose is missed the procedure must be repeated.

Hepatitis C Serious Liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus The hepatitis C virus, can live outside the body for up to 7 days Many individuals will not have any symptoms for up to 20 years after initial infection 3.2 million chronically infected Infection is chronic in up to 85 percent of cases Treatment is available to help control virus

Symptoms of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Virus Yellowing of the skin or whites of eyes Feeling tired/fatigued Pain in the abdomen Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea Loss of appetite Weight loss Damage to the liver Can lead to chronic illness and maybe even death.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Virus that causes the immune system the loss of the ability to fight off infection or disease. There are more than 1.1 million (reported cases) Chronic infection that can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Antiviral Medications are used to treat illness and control symptoms. There is no cure for HIV or AIDS. HIV can survive outside the body for a few hours in certain bodily fluids, when dry it cannot function. There is no vaccine available.

Symptoms of HIV Infection Extreme tiredness Unexplained fever Poor appetite/rapid weight loss with no other known cause Swollen glands Other illness risk increased greatly Can cause AIDS to develop Can lead to death

Transmission Bloodborne pathogens can enter the body in many ways. Needles/lancets/razors Broken glass Skin exposures through cuts, abrasions, burns, and mucous membranes of eyes, mouth, nose, and unprotected sex. Contamination of your mouth, eyes, nose or open skin after contact with contaminated blood or body fluids, contaminated equipment/surfaces.

Universal Precautions = Prevention Universal Precautions. Universal precautions is an approach to infection control to treat all human blood and certain human body fluids as if they were known to be infectious for HIV, HBV and other bloodborne pathogens, (Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030(b) definitions).

Bloodborne Pathogen Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(1) Employees are to observe Universal Precautions to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). When unable to differentiate between body fluid types, all body fluids shall be considered potentially infectious. OPIM as defined in 29 CFR 1910.1030(b): Human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids;

Standard Precautions Standard precautions includes the use of: hand washing, appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns, masks, whenever touching or exposure to patients' body fluids is anticipated. blood all body fluids, secretions, and excretions, except sweat, whether or not they contain visible blood non-intact skin, or mucous membranes

Hand Washing Hand washing is the number one way to prevent the spread of illness or disease. Turn faucet on with a paper towel Adjust water temperature Remove all jewelry (this includes watches and bracelets) Wet hands and apply soap Wash hands for at least 20 seconds, making sure to get around your fingernails, under your nails, and between your fingers. Dry your hands with a paper towel and use it to turn off the faucet. Dispose of paper towel correctly. You may use waterless hand sanitizers if you do not have immediate access to soap and water, then wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible

Hand Hygiene Always wash hands in between working with individuals receiving services and before and after entering an individuals room. Every time you remove your gloves WASH HANDS IMMEDIATELY if they come in contact with blood or other body fluids. Nails should be no longer than ¼ inch and artificial nails should not be worn. Always keep any broken areas on hands covered with a bandage. Change when soiled.

Personal Hygiene No food or drinks in refrigerators/freezers or on surfaces where potentially infectious materials could be present. Do not us latex gloves with petroleum-based products, you should use a non-latex glove. Always wash hands before and after smoking. Always wash hands before eating or drinking. Always wash hands after use of the restroom.

Sharps Safety Use of self-sheathing or retractable needles Never recap, bend, or break needles Always use a Sharps container and change as indicated (1/2 full) Never reuse needles/lancets Never leave needles/sharps unattended All individuals receiving services must have their own devices.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use of appropriate size gloves**(Whenever possible, use latex free gloves such as vinyl gloves, especially if you or an individual that you are assisting has an allergy to latex.) Shoe covers Head covers Safety glasses/Face shield Resuscitation devices (pocket mask/micro-shield barrier) Disposable gowns, apron or a lab coat You should always wear PPE when working around blood as splashing may occur.

Proper removal of Gloves Grip one glove on the outside near the cuff and pull the glove down gently until it comes off inside out, cup it in the palm of your remaining gloved hand. Place two fingers of your bare hand inside the wrist/cuff area of the remaining glove and peel it down. As it comes off it will be inside out and contain the first glove inside it. If the gloves are contaminated with blood or body fluids, place them in a biohazard waste bag/box or if one is not available you can place them in a plastic bag that can be sealed before you dispose of the glove. Follow appropriate hand washing procedures.

Housekeeping Wear appropriate PPE for the task at hand Utility gloves can be reused if undamaged, they must be cleaned after each use to prevent cross contamination, and inspected frequently for any damage. Use standard precautions when handling all linens, and bath towels/washcloths etc. Appropriate clean up of blood and or body fluids with approved cleaner or the use ¼ cup of bleach mixed with 1 gallon of water is sufficient to clean up blood and or body fluids if left on the surface for a period of at least 20 minutes. Use disposable towels/wipes if possible to clean up all spills of blood/body fluids and place in appropriate container. All items that are not disposable, must be cleaned after use with the bleach solution or other approved cleaner.

Action if exposed Remove your gloves as instructed earlier and immediately wash the exposed/affected area with soap and large amounts of water. If blood or body fluids have splashed into your eyes, nose, or mouth rinse the exposed/affected area with large amounts of water. Report your exposure to your employer immediately, and document on the Employee Incident/Accident report form. Follow up with a medical provider as instructed for appropriate treatment/testing and keep all follow-up appointments.

Medical Records Records for employees are maintained for duration of employment plus 30 years in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1130. If injury caused by sharps this information must be kept for a period of 5 years, to include the type of device, location of incident and description of incident.

Summary Bloodborne Pathogen Standards apply to anyone that is exposed to blood/body fluids during performance of their job tasks. Employers must offer the Hepatitis B vaccine series to all employees who have been identified as having potential exposure to blood/body fluids during the performance of their job assignments. PPE (personal protective equipment) must be provided by your employer.

Summary Continued Exposures to blood/body fluids must be reported immediately to your supervisor, and an Employee Incident/Accident report must be completed. It is your responsibility to utilize all of the components of standard precautions, and to follow policies and procedures that have been established by your employer to maintain your safety and reduce the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Resources Occupational Safety and Health Administration - http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/index.html Virginia Department of Health - http://www.vdh.virginia.gov Department of Environmental Quality - http://www.deq.state.va.us/ American Heart Association - Heartsaver Bloodborne Pathogens - Gonzales, Louis, EMT-P, First Aid Subcommittee Chair 2009