Bloodborne Pathogens

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WHAT ?

• Danger in potentially infectious body fluids

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• How to report an accident

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• Who should clean up the blood, etc.

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Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens,

such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV)

And human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), does occur.

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Blood is the number one source of these viruses in

the workplace.

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Your risk of contracting one of these viruses at

school is low because your contact with blood is

infrequent.

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But when the need arises you must be prepared to deal

with blood safety.

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QUESTION 1

The most common source of workplace pathogen (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C & HIV) exposure is:

Answer:

BLOOD

OSHA Regulations�

• The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) and the Bloodborne Pathogens Compliance Directive (CPL2-2.44D) require employers to identify the jobs, tasks, and activities that could expose employees to potentially infectious body fluids.

�JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND TASKS �ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO CATEGORIES

High Risk for Exposure

This category indicates

that it is probable that the

staff members will come

Into contact with some

form of body fluids, at

some time while performing

their job task. (custodians, coaches, nurses, front office staff, certain special education staff)

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Minimal Risk for Exposure

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This category indicates that

there is a more remote chance

that staff members will come

into contact with some form

of body fluids while

performing their job task. (teachers, school staff)

What are Bloodborne Pathogens?

Blood-borne pathogens are microorganisms carried by human blood and other body fluids.

The three most common are:

• Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Unfortunately, children are as prone to blood-borne

diseases as adults.

What are Infectious Body Fluids?�

Body fluids that contain potentially infected blood

could result in the transmission of a blood-borne

pathogen.

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Potentially infectious body fluids include blood and other

bodily fluids that can contain blood, such as:

• Saliva
• Vomit
• Urine

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Other body fluids that could contain blood, but are not likely to be encountered in a school work

environment, include semen, vaginal secretions, cell cultures, etc.

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Hepatitis B

Hepatitis means “inflammation of the liver”. HBV poses a

Greater risk to you at school than either the hepatitis

C virus (HCV) or HIV, since it is more easily

transmitted.

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HBV can survive for at least 1 week in dried blood on

environmental surfaces such as a desks, worktable, knife,

tools, broken glass, metal, etc…

�Hepatitis B—Environmental Contamination

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Environmental contamination is an effective

method of disease transmission for HBV.

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This is the primary reason for the importance

Of properly cleaning and disinfecting any

blood-contaminated work surfaces, tools, etc.

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QUESTION 2

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

can survive for up to ____________ in dried

blood on hard surfaces.

Answer:

One Week

This is why cleaning on a regular

basis is VITAL!

Hepatitis B

• An HBV vaccination has been available since 1982. The vaccine prevents hepatitis B disease and its serious consequences.

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• The vaccine has been shown to be very safe when given to infants, children, and adults.

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Vaccine

• Available free of charge to staff in the high risk category
• Custodians/maintenance staff sign-ups during BOY meeting.
• Other staff interested, please contact Student Services for appointment information.

HEPATITIS C VIRUS (HCV)

• There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C Virus at this time.

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• 70 percent of infected persons will suffer from chronic liver disease. Hepatitis C is the leading indication for liver transplantation.

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HIV

• HIV is the virus that leads to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). A person can carry HIV for many years and not have any symptoms until it becomes AIDS.

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• AIDS attacks the person’s immune system, which makes it difficult for the body to fight off common diseases.

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HIV

• HIV does not survive well outside the body. When HIV-infected human blood or other body fluid is dried, the risk of environmental transmission is essentially reduced to zero because the virus does not survive.

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• HIV is found in very low quantities in saliva and tears from some AIDS patients.

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• HIV has not been found in the sweat of HIV-infected persons. Contact with saliva, tears, or sweat has never been shown to result in the transmission of HIV

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Identify Potential Exposure at Work

Exposure to blood-borne pathogens or potentially

infectious body fluids in a school environment is

limited.

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In general, the only time that any employee is

exposed is when a student or co-worker suffers an

injury that bleeds, or illness causing exposure to

bodily fluids with visible blood.

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Identify Potential Exposure at Work

Employees working with special needs & medically

Fragile students should take extra caution. These

students may be more:

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• Vulnerable to injury

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• Likely to have special medical needs

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• Dependant on adults for personal care

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QUESTION 3

In general school employees have

limited exposure to body fluids and

potential blood-borne pathogens.

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The exception to this is _________

Answer

Working with Children

having severe disability

and/or special medical

needs

You could be exposed:

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• At the time of an injury if blood/body fluids splashes onto you,

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• when administering first-aid treatments, such as applying pressure to a wound, wrapping an injury, providing CPR, etc.

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You could be exposed:

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• If a work surface, such as a table, tool, or machine control panel, is not cleaned/decontaminated immediately after an incident.

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• If your job description/task includes clean up after illness or injury.

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You could be exposed:

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By cutting yourself with a contaminated sharp

object like:

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• Broken Glass
• Sharp Metal
• Needles
• Knives
• Exposed end of orthodontic wires

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�Transmission of Bloodborne Pathogens�

You CANNOT become infected with these viruses

Through casual contact, coughing, sneezing, a

kiss on the cheek, a hug or from drinking fountains

or food.

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How does it get in?

Non-intact skin—The infected blood must

make physical contact with skin that is

damaged or not completely intact.

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Blood-borne pathogens could enter your

bloodstream through a cut in the skin, abrasions

or scratches on the skin, dermatitis or other skin

rashes, and even hangnails.

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COVER CUTS AND OPEN SKIN WITH A

BANDAGE WHEN AT WORK!

How does it get in?

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• Mucous membranes—The infected blood could enter your body’s bloodstream through a mucous membrane.

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• Infected blood that is splashed into your eyes, mouth, or nose could result in a transmission of blood-borne pathogens.

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Universal Precautions

Anticipating Potential Contact

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• The most important step in preventing exposure to and transmission of infections is the anticipation of potential contact with infectious materials in routine and emergency situations.

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• Universal precautions and infection control techniques should be used in all situations that present the hazard of infection.

Universal Precautions

• Diligent and proper hand washing, the use of barriers (e.g., latex or vinyl gloves), appropriate disposal of waste products and needles, and proper care of spills are essential techniques of infection control.

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• When using universal precautions to prevent the spread of infection, all blood and body fluids are treated as if they contain blood borne pathogens, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV).

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Question 5

All blood & body

fluids should be treated

like they…_________.

Answer:

Contain blood-

borne pathogens.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Gloves

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• Should be worn for all scenarios involving blood or body fluids.

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• Staff members must wear gloves when applying bandages or putting pressure on wounds.

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• Cleanup personnel must wear gloves when cleaning up and decontaminating blood or body fluids.

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Impromptu Barriers: For many accidents in a school

environment, the staff responders do not feel that they have

time to get and then put on protective barriers such as

gloves or aprons

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Impromptu barriers in your workplace might include

a piece of plastic, a clean plastic garbage bag, paper,

your shirt, etc.

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The idea is to use something as a barrier between your

skin and the victim’s blood or body fluid.

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Question 6

True or False:

You can use a clean plastic bag as a

blood/body fluid barrier if gloves or

other PPE is not available.

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Answer

• True

HANDWASHING

Diligent and proper hand washing is a

key component of infection control.

Hands should be washed:

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1.   Immediately before and after physical contact with a student (e.g., providing first aid, diaper changes, assistance with toileting, or assistance with Feeding)

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HANDWASHING

2.   Immediately after contact with blood or body fluids or garments or objects soiled with body fluids or blood

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3.   After contact with used equipment (e.g., stethoscope, emesis basin, and gloves)

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4.  After removing PPE such as gloves or clothing.

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Hand Washing

Good hand washing keeps you from transferring

Contamination from your hands to other parts of

your body or to other surfaces you may come in

contact with later.

You should wash your hands with non-

abrasive soap and running water for at least

20 seconds:

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When hand washing facilities are not available, such as on the

school bus, use an antiseptic hand Cleanser or antiseptic towelettes. Use these as a temporary measure only. You must still wash your hands with soap and running water as soon as you can.

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ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE

Procedure:

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Always wash the contaminated area immediately with

soap and water.

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If the mucous membranes (i.e., eye or mouth) are

contaminated by a splash of potentially infectious

material or contamination of broken skin occurs,

irrigate or wash area thoroughly.

ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE

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For cuts or needle injuries, wash the skin thoroughly

with soap and water.

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If broken skin or mucous membranes are

contaminated the staff should:

1. Notify their supervisor immediately.
2. Document the event
3. Follow the procedures in the blood-borne pathogen exposure control plan for the district.

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In Summary

Always have gloves readily available.

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Remember:

If it’s wet, and it’s not yours,

don’t touch it without gloves!

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