1. PROTECTION FROM INJURY AND DISEASE

2. PROTECTION FROM INJURY AND DISEASE
BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS
Microorganisms that are present in human blood and can infect and cause disease in people who are exposed to blood containing the pathogen
Most common
HIV
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C

3. HOW MIGHT BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS ENTER THE BODY?
PROTECTION FROM INJURY AND DISEASE
HOW MIGHT BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS ENTER THE BODY?
Open cuts, wounds, or abrasions on the skin
Mucus membranes (eyes, nose, mouth)
Indirect transmission
Sexual contact
Sharp injuries
Who is at risk?
What are the highest risk exposures?

4. UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS
PROTECTION FROM INJURY AND DISEASE
UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS
Infection control guidelines designed to protect workers from exposure to diseases spread by blood and certain body fluids
Guidelines to minimize risk of infection as a result of contact with blood or body fluids
Treat every patient as potentially infectious

5. Examples of UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS
PROTECTION FROM INJURY AND DISEASE
Examples of UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS
Personal and Protective Equipment
Gloves, lab coats, gowns, shoe covers, goggles, glasses with side shields, masks, resuscitation bags
Engineering Controls
Sharp disposal containers, laboratory fume hoods
Work Practice Controls
Hand washing, handling of used needles and other sharp and contaminated instruments, collecting and transporting fluids

6. PROTECTION FROM INJURY AND DISEASE
OTHER COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Airborne diseases
Transmitted by droplets in the air (measles, chicken pox)
Contact diseases
Spread through direct or indirect contact with bacteria or viruses
Zoonotic diseases
Caused by infectious agents being transferred between humans and animals (West Nile virus, SARS, Avian Bird Flu)

7. PROTECTION FROM INJURY AND DISEASE
EXPOSURE PLAN
Document which sets out the protocol which should be followed to prevent communicable disease, and to respond when a worker is exposed to a communicable disease