The following self-paced program, entitled Universal Precautions and Pathogen Awareness for Schools, has been developed as an educational unit for Rose Tree Media School District Employees. To advance each slide, left click your mouse. To end the program, right click on your mouse and select “end show” from the menu. The last slide in the unit is a signature page for you to print, sign, and give to your supervisor or school nurse to indicate that you have completed the program.

UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS and PATHOGEN AWARENESS FOR SCHOOLS A Self Directed Learning Unit for RTMSD Employees

Exposure to disease causing viruses and bacteria can occur anywhere--even in schools

Disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms are called pathogens.

Although the risk of exposure to pathogens for a school employee is low, it is not zero.

For this reason, it is important to know about pathogens and how to protect yourself from diseases they can cause.

Where or how might a school employee be exposed to contagious pathogens?

Pathogens (germs) can be found on environmental surfaces, in blood, and in other body fluids.

Blood borne pathogens are high profile pathogens because of the serious nature of the diseases they cause, but pathogens also exist in other body fluids.

Body fluids with which a school employee might come in contact include blood, vomitus, urine, feces, saliva, and respiratory secretions.

The following slides identify some of the pathogens that may be found in various body fluids.

Urine cytomegalovirus

Feces Salmonella bacteria Shigella bacteria Rotavirus Hepatitis A virus

Respiratory Secretions Mononucleosis virus Rhinovirus (common cold virus) Influenza virus

Vomitus Gastrointestinal viruses such as: Norwalk Virus Rotavirus

Blood Hepatitis B virus Hepatitis C virus Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Cytomegalovirus

Hepatitis C HIV Hepatitis B Three pathogens which may be transmitted in blood (blood borne pathogens) warrant further attention because of the serious nature of the diseases they cause. These three viruses are: Hepatitis B Hepatitis C HIV

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B “Hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver.

Hepatitis B An individual can be exposed to Hepatitis B virus by coming in direct contact with contaminated blood or with blood-contaminated environmental surfaces.

Hepatitis B Hepatitis B virus enters the body through a mucus membrane or a break in the skin.

Hepatitis B When Hepatitis B virus enters the body, it travels to the liver and can cause life-long infection, cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and even death.

Hepatitis B virus can live outside the body for up to one week.

Hepatitis B It is estimated that 1/3 of the world’s population including 5% of the US population are infected with Hepatitis B virus.

Hepatitis B A vaccine called the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) vaccine, which is a series of 3 immunizations, protects against the Hep B virus.

Hepatitis B HBV vaccine is required for school entry for students in Pennsylvania. Check your immunization record or with your doctor to see if you have received this vaccine.

Hepatitis B The vaccine is one important way to protect yourself against Hepatitis B.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HIV Although HIV has gotten a lot of media attention, it is not as common a blood borne pathogen as Hepatitis B (HBV).

HIV It is estimated that there are 40 million people living with HIV or AIDs worldwide, with about 1 million in the US.

HIV The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) does not live long outside the body, and it is not an easy virus to pass from one person to another, however, the consequences of contracting HIV are so serious, that one must always protect oneself against possibly coming in contact with the virus.

HIV HIV is transmitted through contaminated blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk.

HIV Although the virus can be found in sweat, tears, vomit, saliva, feces, and urine, it has never been reported that it was ever transmitted in these fluids.

HIV HIV invades and destroys the immune system and weakens cells that normally fight off infection, leaving the body unable to fight other diseases.

HIV People who become infected with HIV may have no symptoms for up to 10 years, but they can still transmit the infection to others. Meanwhile, their immune system gradually weakens until they are diagnosed with AIDS. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000602.htm#Symptoms

HIV HIV is a chronic medical condition that can be treated, but not cured. There are effective means of preventing complications and delaying, but not preventing, progression to AIDS. At the present time, not all persons infected with HIV have progressed to AIDS, but time has shown that the vast majority do. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000602.htm#Symptoms

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is less easily transmitted than Hepatitis B, but it is a more serious illness.

Hepatitis C can cause liver damage, cirrhosis, and cancer.

Hepatitis C virus can live up to a week outside the body.

Hepatitis C It is estimated that about 4 million people in the US have been infected with Hepatitis C.

What can school employees do to protect themselves against these and other potentially dangerous pathogens?

1) Practice good hand washing 2) Use universal precautions School employees should follow these two important guidelines: 1) Practice good hand washing 2) Use universal precautions

Practice Good Hand Washing Guideline One Practice Good Hand Washing

Why is hand washing so important? Hand washing, when done correctly, is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

steps to good hand washing: Wet hands with warm running water. Add soap. Rub hands together away from the running water in order to form a lather. Rub hands for at least 15 seconds. Wash the front, back, fingers, and under nails. Hold hands downward while rinsing under warm water so that the water does not run down arms. Dry thoroughly with paper towel. Turn off water with a towel and dispose of it properly.

(Time yourself by singing Row, Row, Row Your Boat, or Happy Birthday.) Remember to rub your hands for at least 15 seconds and form a lather with the soap. (Time yourself by singing Row, Row, Row Your Boat, or Happy Birthday.)

Soap lather suspends dirt and germs so they can be easily washed away.

Rub hands, covering all surfaces with sanitizer and let dry. If using alcohol based hand gel, use ½ to 1 teaspoon in the palm of your hand. Rub hands, covering all surfaces with sanitizer and let dry.

Alcohol based sanitizers should contain at least 60% alcohol.

Guideline Two Use Universal Precautions

“Universal precautions” means treating ALL body fluids as if they are contaminated with pathogens.

This means wearing gloves when coming in contact with any body fluid.

Skin is the first line of defense against pathogens but germs can enter through small cuts or tiny breaks in the skin.

Gloves act as a second line of defense—a second barrier—to keep pathogens from entering the body.

Your school nurse or supervisor can provide you with disposable gloves.

Any open cuts or sores should be covered with a band-aid or dressing before putting on gloves.

Never pick up sharp objects or broken glass with a gloved or bare hand.

Gloves are designed for single use only and should be replaced as soon as possible if there is a tear or defect.

It is important to remove gloves without touching the outside surface with your bare hands since the outside may be contaminated with pathogens.

To remove gloves, begin by grasping the cuff on the outside surface with your other gloved hand.

Pull the glove toward fingers and off into the other gloved hand.

Hold the glove you removed in the palm of your gloved hand.

Remove the second glove by sliding your fingers underneath the cuff to avoid touching the outside surface with your bare hand.

Pull it off toward your fingers, removing the glove completely.

With contaminated surfaces safely facing inward, gloves are ready for disposal in the trash.

Always wash hands after removing gloves because gloves may contain flaws or defects that are not noticeable or you may have accidentally touched a contaminated part of the glove.

Be smart! Take the time to protect yourself with gloves before assisting a student or colleague who needs first aid.

Our school buses are supplied with “spill kits Our school buses are supplied with “spill kits.” Bus drivers are trained to use the supplied products including gloves, absorbent agent, and cleaning tool, if there is a incident necessitating body fluid clean-up on the bus.

Instead, call a custodian. Do not attempt to clean up body fluids such as vomit or blood unless you have had special training. Instead, call a custodian.

Our custodians have been trained in the clean-up of body fluids and hazardous wastes and have equipment and products appropriate for the job.

What should you do if you come in contact with body fluids? Wash hands immediately with warm water and soap for at least 15 seconds. Follow district guidelines to report the exposure incident to your supervisor.

Review of Important Points You can come in contact with pathogens anywhere—even in schools. Protect yourself against pathogens by practicing good hand washing and universal precautions. Universal precautions means treating all body fluids as if they were contaminated and wearing gloves if there is a chance of contact with body fluids or contaminated surfaces. Universal precautions are an important way to protect yourself and others.

A safe school is a school where good hand washing is practiced and universal precautions are followed.

I have completed the self-paced learning unit entitled Universal Precautions and Pathogen Awareness for Schools. I understand that if I have questions, I will contact my school nurse or supervisor. Name___________________ Date______ Job Title____________ Building_________