Bloodborne Pathogens Training: Preventing Disease Transmission

Welcome! Introductions Policies and Procedures Course Outline

Purpose To provide professional rescuers with an understanding of the intent of the Bloodborne Pathogens regulation issued by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), how bloodborne pathogens are spread, precautions to prevent exposure incidents and how to recognize, report and follow up on exposures to infectious materials.

What are Bloodborne Pathogens? Bacteria and viruses present in blood and body fluids that can cause disease in humans Diseases of primary concern Hepatitis B Hepatitis C HIV

How Bloodborne Pathogens Spread Four conditions that must be met for transmission: A pathogen is present. There is enough of the pathogen present to cause disease. A person is susceptible to the pathogen. The pathogen passes through the correct entry site. Direct contact, indirect contact, droplet transmission and vector-borne transmission

Prevention OSHA Standard on Bloodborne Pathogens Use of safeguards Exposure Control Plan Universal precautions and standard precautions Personal protective equipment Hand hygiene Engineering controls Work practice controls Equipment cleaning and disinfecting

Exposure Procedures Exposure incidents involve contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. If there is an exposure: Clean the area of contact. Write down what happened. Notify your supervisor. Immediately seek medical attention. Follow your facility’s post-exposure policies and procedures.

Summary Take precautions to prevent bloodborne pathogen transmission when providing care. Always wear protective equipment when providing care. Use good hand hygiene. Maintain good engineering and work control practices. Clean and disinfect equipment after each use.