One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from exposure is by following the principle of Standard Precautions also referred to as Universal Precautions. Standard Precautions assume that all human blood and all human body fluids are infectious and should be handled with appropriate protective measures. Show
Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Guidelines and Recommendations are available at this CDC site. Included in the HAI guidelines are the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), work practices, and engineering controls to ensure safety in all situations where exposure to blood or body fluids is possible. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Always wear PPE (e.g. gloves, eye protection) when there is a potential for exposure to blood or body fluids. This is proven to be the single most effective precaution to avoid exposure. PPE should be readily accessible. If some PPE that you feel is necessary for your protection is not available to you, contact your supervisor. Gloves as PPE Gloves may be made of latex, nitrile, rubber, or other impervious materials. If glove material is thin or flimsy, double gloving may provide additional protection. If you have cuts or sores on your hands, you should cover these with a bandage as additional protection before putting on gloves. Inspect gloves before putting them on to check for tears or punctures and replace them at that point if they are damaged. Remove gloves carefully, trying not to touch the outside of the gloves with bare skin. The established method for removing gloves without contaminating hands is illustrated here: Glove
Removal After removal, discard contaminated gloves in the medical waste box. Always wash hands thoroughly as the final step. A Word about Latex Allergy Although latex gloves have proven effective in preventing transmission of infectious diseases, for some individuals, repeated exposures to latex may result in allergic reactions. These reactions result from exposure to certain proteins in the latex rubber. Symptoms may include flushing, skin rashes, hives, runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, scratchy throat and wheezing. Rarely and over time, with repeated exposures, symptoms may escalate to anaphylactic shock. However, the response would unlikely be the first indication of a person's adverse reaction to latex. Minimizing the Risk of Latex
Other PPE that may be needed: Goggles Because bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the eyes, it is very important to protect them by using chemical splash goggles if there is a potential for splash or spray to occur in the course of your work. Face shields Face shields may also be worn in addition to goggles to provide additional face protection against splashes to the mouth and nose. Gowns or Lab Coats Wear gowns or lab coats to protect clothing and to keep blood or OPIM from soaking through to the skin. Contaminated Clothing Personal clothing that becomes contaminated with blood should be removed as soon as possible to avoid fluids from seeping through and coming in contact with skin. Contaminated laundry should be handled as little as possible and placed in a red biohazard bag until it is decontaminated, disposed of, or laundered. Machine washing with hot water and detergent is sufficient to clean soiled personal clothing. Bleach can be added as an additional disinfectant measure. Points to remember:
OSHA PPE Guidelines Questions? CONTINUE What Are Bloodborne Pathogens?Pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms. Bloodborne pathogens are viruses or bacteria present in human blood and body fluids which can infect and cause disease in humans. The two most notable of these are Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, and the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). How Do Bloodborne Pathogens Spread in the Workplace?The most common ways bloodborne pathogens spread are through sexual transmission or IV drug use. However, any contact with infected blood or body fluids carries the risk of potential infection. With the correct information, irrational fears about workplace exposure to HIV and HBV can be prevented. On the other hand, treating HIV to lightly may lead you to ignore appropriate protective measures. How to Protect YourselfIt is important to understand what the hazards of bloodborne pathogens are, and what preventative measures you can take to protect yourself from exposure. The three main areas of protection include Attitude, Personal Protective Equipment and Housekeeping. AttitudeYour attitude is a vital part of protecting yourself. The right attitude means taking Universal Precautions. This means that you treat all human blood and body fluids as infectious. Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective Equipment includes clothing and equipment worn by an individual during activities which may result in exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Personal protective equipment always starts with gloves but may also include gowns, face shields, eye protection and pocket masks.
HousekeepingHousekeeping refers to methods for cleaning and decontaminating infected surfaces and the disposal of blood and body fluids. All decontamination must include the use of an appropriate disinfecting solution, such as one part bleach to ten parts water. Work Practices to Prevent InfectionIf your assignments require you to perform CPR, give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, administer first aid, or clean up after an accident, protective measures need to be taken to prevent an exposure to infectious materials. Protect yourself by following these steps:
Campus Police- 35 Dean Street Protect Yourself First. Treat Victim Second.What To Do If You Are ExposedDespite your best efforts, there is a possibility you may be exposed to blood or body fluids during an emergency response. An exposure incident is defined as a specific eye, mouth, nose or skin contact with potentially infectious materials. All reports will be treated by WPI in the strictest confidence. If you have an exposure, follow these steps:
VaccinesHBVThere is a safe and effective vaccine to prevent the HBV infection. The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard required that organizations with individuals at risk must offer the HBV vaccine free of charge. Those individuals who choose not to accept the vaccine will be asked to sign a statement indicating their decision. However, if in the future the person decides to get the vaccine, and is still at risk, the person may get the vaccine free of charge.The vaccine is a series of three injections, which will be administered at the WPI Health Services Infirmary, located in Stoddard C. HIVThere is not yet available a vaccine for HIV.What are the 4 standard precautions?Hand hygiene. Use of personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, masks, eyewear). Respiratory hygiene / cough etiquette. Sharps safety (engineering and work practice controls).
What are 4 methods of compliance to bloodborne pathogens standards?To effectively eliminate or minimize exposure to bloodborne pathogens, Standard Precautions, instituted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be followed. These include the use of Universal Precautions, Engineering Controls, Work Practice Controls, PPE, and Housekeeping Procedures.
What is the standard for bloodborne pathogens?What is the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard? OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) as amended pursuant to the 2000 Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act, is a regulation that prescribes safeguards to protect workers against health hazards related to bloodborne pathogens.
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