BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS: OR: DO WE REALLY HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN????
YES THIS YEAR AND EVERY YEAR HEREAFTER REMEMBER: A REVIEW IS NEVER A BAD IDEA YOUR JOBS PUT YOU AT RISK THE DAY YOU KNOW EVERYTHING AND QUIT LEARNING WILL BE A VERY SAD DAY INDEED
The Bloodborne Pathogen Standard was put into effect by OSHA in Washington State in May of 1992. These are the OSHA people to blame!! The purpose is to reduce the occurrence of illness spread by blood/body fluids by protecting employees against exposure.
WHAT ARE BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS? Microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria that are carried in blood and can cause disease in people. There are many different pathogens that can cause disease:
Are the two diseases specifically addressed by the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (Be aware of Hepatitis C as it is becoming more and more of a concern in the world infectious disease)
Hepatitis B- HBV 300,000 people are infected each year in the United States Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver and is caused by a virus that infects the liver. It is transmitted through blood to blood contactand not by contaminated food Hepatitis B causes inflammation of the liver and can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.. There is no cure for HBV but many people who contract the disease will develop antibodies which will help them get over the infection and protect them from getting it again.
Hepatitis B is very durable and can survive in dried blood for many days. For this reason, the virus is of primary concern for people who may come in contact with blood or other infectious materials. Initial symptoms are like a mid flu with fatigue, stomach pain, loss of appetite and nausea. As the disease continues, jaundice and dark urine will often occur. People infected with HBV often show no symptoms for some time. After exposure, it can take one to nine months before symptoms become noticeable.
HIV/AIDS AIDS=Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus- is the virus that causes AIDS. Once a person has been infected with HIV, it may be years before AIDS actually develops. The disease develops in essentially three stages beginning with initial infection and ending with total destruction of the immune system. HIV attacks the Immune System and weakens it so it can t fight off other diseases. AIDS remains a fatal disease and there is still no cure
Quite different than HBV, the HIV virus is very fragile and does not survive long outside the human body. It is of great concern to employees who may provide first aid or medical care involving situations with fresh blood. Because it is a devastating disease, all precautions must be taken to avoid exposure. Estimates vary but it is believed there are over 1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. Symptoms of HIV infection vary but often include weakness, fever, sore throat, nausea, headaches, diarrhea, weight loss and swollen lymph glands.
How are Bloodborne Pathogens transmitted? Through contact with contaminated human blood or other infectious body fluids such as: Semen Vaginal secretions Breast milk...or any body fluid that may have blood in it. Contact with saliva, tears or sweat alone has never shown to result in the transmission of HIV.
HBV and HIV are most commonly transmitted through. Sexual Contact Sharing IV Drug Needles From mothers to babies at or before birth Accidental puncture from contaminated needles, broken glass or other sharps Contact between broken or damaged skin and infected body fluids Contact between mucous membranes and infected body fluids.
There is no known risk of HIV transmission to co-workers, clients or consumers when routine precautions are followed. These diseases just are not spread casually. Your own carelessness could be your biggest risk.
It is your responsibility to protect yourself There are no OSHA Police looking over your shoulder. are your protection when handling blood or body fluids. This includes wearing gloves, disposing of materials used to clean up blood/body fluids in plastic bags, disposing of used sharps in proper containers and WASHING YOUR HANDS as soon as possible after contact with blood/body fluids.
What is an Exposure Incident? This means contact with blood or other potentially infectious body fluids resulting from the performance of an employee s duties.
Transmission can be through any of the following: Eyes Mouth/Mucous Membranes Chapped, nonintact skin Parenteral contact (poke with a needle)
What should you do if you have a possible exposure???? THINK:
Wash with soap and warm water every time Use friction and wash for 15 seconds. Do it right: little eyes might be watching you.
If you have an exposure you must REPORT it IMMEDIATELY!!!!! Fill out an accident report Go directly to your physician for follow-up. Your doctor will decide on treatment
So IF YOU HAVEN T ALREADY BE BRAVE. ROLL UP YOUR SHIRT SLEEVE AND LET THE NICE NURSE GIVE YOU A SHOT.
IS NO LAUGHING MATTER NO PERSON MAY DISCLOSE THE IDENTITY OF ANY PERSON WHO MAY HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED, CONSIDERED, OR REQUESTED A TEST FOR ANY SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE
THE FINE FOR A BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY HAS INCREASED FROM $5,000 TO $10,000!!!! DON T TAKE A CHANCE.. KEEP IT TO YOURSELF.
YOU ARE ON THE FRONTLINE WHEN DEALING WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES IN THE SCHOOL. TAKE YOUR ASSIGNMENT SERIOUSLY.. DON T ASSUME ANYTHING YOU CAN T TELL BY LOOKING IF SOMEONE IS INFECTIOUS..
THESE UPDATES ARE PRESENTED TO YOU ANNUALLY TO REMIND YOU OF POTENTIAL HAZARDS YOU MAY ENCOUNTER DURING THE COURSE OF YOUR WORK DAY. PLEASE DO NOT DISREGARD THESE FEW SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS. KEEPING YOURSELF SAFE TAKES A MOMENT BUT THE BENEFITS WILL LAST A LIFETIME!!
IT S QUIZ TIME!!!! 1. IF YOU ARE EXPOSED TO POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS BODY FLUIDS WHILE ON THE JOB, YOU MAY REQUEST A VACCINE FOR WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BLOODBORNE DISEASES? A. HIV B. SYPHILLIS C. HEP B D. HEP C
2. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS COULD CONTAIN BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS? A. BLOODY SALIVA B. SEMEN C. VAGINAL SECRETIONS D. ALL OF THE ABOVE
3. IF YOU WEAR GLOVES WHEN CLEANING UP AN ACCIDENT SITE, IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO WASH YOUR HANDS AFTERWARDS. A. TRUE B. FALSE
4. BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS MAY ENTER YOUR SYSTEM THROUGH: A. OPEN CUTS B. SKIN ABRASIONS C. DERMATITIS D. MUCOUS MEMBRANES E. ALL OF THE ABOVE
5. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS TREAT ALL BODY FLUIDS AS IF THEY ARE INFECTIOUS AND AVOID DIRECT SKIN CONTACT WITH THEM. A. TRUE B. FALSE
6. IF YOU HAVE BLOOD OR POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS MATERIALS SPLASHED INTO YOUR EYE, YOU SHOULD FLUSH YOUR EYE WITH CLEAN, RUNNING WATER FOR: A. 2 MINUTES B. 5 MINUTES C. 10 MINUTES D. 15 MINUTES
7. UNCONTAMINATED SHARPS MAY BE DISPOSED OF IN REGULAR TRASH BAGS. A. TRUE B. FALSE
8. UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS REFERS TO WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING: A. A METHOD OF PERSONAL PROTECTION THAT ONLY PEOPLE IN HEALTHCARE NEED TO PRACTICE. B. A PREVENTION STRATEGY IN WHICH ALL BLOOD AND BODY FLUIDS ARE TREATED AS IF THEY ARE INFECTIOUS. C. AN ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION STATEMENT ENCOURAGING THE CARE AND PRESERVATION OF THE EARTH, SKY AND UNIVERSE. D. HEALTH AND SAFETY RULES TO FOLLOW ONLY IF YOU DON T KNOW THE PERSON YOU ARE HELPING AT THE TIME OF AN ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT.
9. THE FIRST THING YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU GET BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS FROM ASSISTING A BLEEDING STUDENT IS: A. QUIT WORK FOR THE DAY AND GO HOME. B. WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY. C. TELL YOUR SUPERVISOR D. FILL OUT AN ACCIDENT REPORT
THE REASON YOU HAVE TO SIT THROUGH BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS TRAINING EVERY YEAR IS: 1. YOUR SCHOOL NURSE, PRINCIPAL AND SUPERINTENDENT ENJOY SEEING YOU SUFFER! 2. YOUR SCHOOL NURSE WAITS ALL SUMMER TO HEAR YOU SAY, DO WE HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN?! 3. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU TREASURE RED-TAPE, HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH, NEW REGULATIONS AND ONE MORE THING TO DO.. 4. OR IS IT BECAUSE WE CARE SO VERY MUCH FOR EACH OF YOU AND WANT YOU TO HAVE A SAFE, HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE YEAR???!!!!