Bloomer School District Blood Borne Pathogens Developed by: Tammy Kornesczuk, RN
Act Rather Than Re-act School Staff tend to be nurturing and care-taking people Don t rush to help without putting on gloves - children can touch their own blood - give them a dressing while you put on your gloves You can be kind and reassuring while you work to protect yourself!
Bloodborne Pathogen Overview Bloodborne Pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and potentially other body fluids and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but not limited to: Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV
Hepatitis B (HBV) Inflammatory liver disease In a dried state, HBV may remain viable on surfaces for up to one week or maybe longer 100x more infectious than HIV: no cure and can be fatal It is the only bloodborne disease for which there is a vaccine
HBV (con d) Transmission Through blood to blood contact i.e. needle sticks, sexual contact, mucous membrane contact, and open cuts. It is not caused by casual contact.
HBV (con d) Prevention Wash your hands! Get the Hepatitis B vaccine. Check with your principal or supervisor if you believe you are occupationally exposed to blood and body fluids Cover broken skin with bandages Wear gloves when rendering first aid or cleaning blood or body fluid spills Call custodian to clean blood or body fluids
Hepatitis C (HCV) Leading indicator for liver transplants Not able to reproduce outside the body No vaccine
HCV (con d) Transmission Injection drug use Not spread through kissing or casual contact May be transmitted by razors, needles, nail files, toothbrushes, tattooing equipment, piercing, acupuncture Rarely spread by sexual contact
HCV (con d) Prevention Wash your hands! Same as with Hepatitis B Use extreme caution when handling blood and body fluids or items that have been in contact with blood or body fluids
Human Immunodefeciency Virus (HIV) HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. AIDS weakens the immune system so it cannot fight disease There is no vaccine
HIV (con d) Transmission Cannot survive long outside the body HIV particles are reduced by 90-99% within several hours of drying Transmission occurs through accidental needle sticks, sexual contact, open cuts, mucous membranes, or inside of nose
HIV (con d) General info Biting is not a common way of transmission, but if there is broken skin and/or presence of blood it should be a concern Saliva and tears--hiv found in low quantities from some AIDS patients. Sweat HIV has not been found in the sweat of HIV patients Contact with sweat, saliva, or tears has never been shown to result in HIV infection
HIV (con d) Prevention Same as previously outlined Wash your hands!
Occupational Exposure Blood is the number one source of occupational exposure in the workplace. Most people with occupational exposures were stuck by a contaminated needle or other sharp object or had contaminated blood splash in the eyes, nose, mouth or on the skin
Generally, your risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens is low, most likely because your contact with blood is infrequent. At risk employees may include custodians, secretaries, coaches, paraprofessionals, physical education teachers Criteria for at risk: Usual duties expose employee to blood or body fluids as part of their usual day performing occupational tasks
The Key to Protection Never touch another person s blood! Gloves, Dressings, Barriers Handwashing, Handwashing & Handwashing!
Common Sense Rules First line of Protection is you! Cover all cuts Cover dry, chapped skin Regularly use hand cream -Get in the habit! replace any damp bandages
Your best protection is not to have any contact with another person s blood or body fluids If a student is bleeding, instruct student to cover the source and apply pressure as needed. If you MUST assist you need gloves and to call for help!
Gloves Replace as soon as possible if gloves are ripped or punctured Carefully remove gloves in manner that doesn t contaminate your skin Dispose of used gloves carefully and safely!
I think I might have been exposed! Don t panic Wash area with soap and water (eyes: rinse with large amounts of water) Report to the principal or supervisor immediately. You will be advised about testing, counseling, and follow-up procedure Contact your health care provider immediately REMEMBER Treatment works best if started within 24 hours of exposure Exposure does NOT automatically mean your are infected, especially if you take the right prevention steps
Remember: Healthy, intact skin is your first line of defense from exposure to blood and body fluids. Treat all blood, fresh or dried as if it is contaminated
Be Safe and Successful! Use Barrier Precautions - Have them available in school, on playground and on field trips Keep yourself and others safe from contamination Act rather than react!
Bloomer School District Policy 523.2 Guidelines to Protect Employees from Bloodborne Pathogens Contact the school nurse if you have questions about this training, procedure, or equipment