Bloodborne
Pathogens
VAHeathSystems Safety and Compliance Training
Let’s Check
Your Knowledge
About VAHealthSystems Safety Procedures
VAHealthSystems has an Exposure Control Plan (ECP), which identifies the jobs and tasks where potential exposure can occur. If you have any questions, please contact us below.
1-800-555-5550
www.vahealthsystems.com
Goals of the Course
The goal of this course is to help you function safely within our facility by using proper identification and handling procedures if you are exposed to a contamination.
1-800-555-5550
www.vahealthsystems.com
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
1. Recognize hazardous contaminated items in the workplace
2. Identify methods of exposure to avoid contamination
3. Demonstrate how to control exposure to hazardous contaminated items
4. Conduct post exposure procedures in the event of an exposure incident.
Learning Objectives:
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Bloodborne Diseases
Some of these bloodborne diseases in the news currently are Zika or Ebola viruses. Other bloodborne diseases you may have heard of are malaria and syphilis.
Bloodborne diseases can present a serious risk to infected individuals, yet they can be prevented with proper precautions.
Many bloodborne diseases still exist today, despite the prevalence of vaccinations against viruses.
Bloodborne Pathogens of Concern
Infection with bloodborne pathogens occurs through direct contact with contaminated blood or blood products.
Routes of Infection
Contact with blood through needles or other sharp objects, sexually transmitted infections, and transmission from mother to child during pregnancy or at birth.
Most Common Bloodborne Pathogens
The most common bloodborne pathogens you may be exposed to in a workplace or everyday situation are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV.
Hepatitis B
HBV is contracted through blood and other body fluids.
Symptoms can include fatigue, poor appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice.
Hepatitis B is a liver infection cause by hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV is preventable with a vaccine.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is another type of liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV).
People infected with HCV often have no symptoms and do not feel sick.
Avoiding behaviors that spread HCV like injecting drugs is the best way to prevent this disease.
HIV/AIDS
Signs of infections include flu-like symptoms, but some people may not feel sick at all.
With the development of full-blown AIDS, people may be immunocompromised and subject to several illnesses.
AIDS is the disease caused by HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus.
Risks of Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure
Risks of this short-term illness, can turn into a long-term, chronic infection with development of cancer or cirrhosis of the liver.
Risks Include advanced liver disease and other life-threatening health problems
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
The risks for bloodborne pathogen exposure are varied
Risks of untreated HIV can result in the development of AIDS, leaving an individual with a compromised immune system subject to life-threatening illnesses.
HIV/AIDS
Breakout Room Question #1
Join the Breakout room you are assigned
Discuss the difference between each disease and how they are transmitted
Come back to the main room to debrief with the whole group
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2
3
Let’s check what you have learned so far!
Answer the questions you see as they are presented
Check the leader board for your results!
A
B
C
Bloodborne Pathogens
Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria that are carried by human blood and can cause disease in humans.
Now that you are familiar with some of the diseases and risks caused by bloodborne pathogens. let’s learn what they are.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) creates safety guidelines
Sources of Bloodborne Pathogen Contamination
You might have been surprised to learn that bloodborne pathogens are not only found in blood!
People feel they are safe from the presence of bloodborne pathogens if there is no visible blood.
Bloodborne pathogens are found in other body fluids, and they can live on surfaces contaminated with those body fluids.
Saliva
Semen
Vaginal secretions
Amniotic fluid
Sources of Bloodborne Pathogens
Body fluid that contains blood
What can be contaminated?
Toilet seats
Floors and counters
Bottom of shoes
Your hands
Linens
Use chemical cleaners on hard surfaces
1
Use chemical cleansers on linens
2
Use an autoclave on medical instruments
3
Use soap and water on your hands
4
Use a chemical sterilization process
5
How can we clean and disinfect areas?
Breakout Room Question #2
Join the Breakout room you are assigned
Come back to the main room to debrief with the whole group
Discuss the most contaminated areas in the hospital and how to make sure they are cleaned properly.
Time for a quick check!
Check the leaderboard to check your results!
Answer each question as they are presented to you
Exposure and Transmission of Bloodborne Pathogens
An individual can appear healthy and without symptoms yet still carry a harmful virus.
Fact or Myth? If a person appears healthy, then there is no risk of contamination from bloodborne pathogens.
Be aware of the ways in which pathogens can be transmitted so that you can reduce your risk.
Myth
Hospital Staff
First Responders
Environmental Service Technicians
Child Care Workers
Laboratory Staff
Who is at Risk?
Tasks with Exposure Risks
Needle sticks
Splatter or spray containing blood
Cuts from contaminated sharps
Aerosols created by body fluids
Broken equipment with blood on it
Eyes
Genital areas
Nose
Anal areas
Areas of the body that cause contamination
FYI: Touching any of these areas with a contaminated surface or body part can lead to infection
Breakout Room Question #3
Join the Breakout room you are assigned
Discuss areas of exposure in the hospital and areas of the body that can lead to transmission of pathogens
Come back to the main room to debrief with the whole group
Preventing Exposures
All blood or OPIM (other potentially infectious material) must always be treated as infectious regardless of the health status or appearance of the individual
Part of prevention is educating employees and personnel about risks and preventative measures.
OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard protects workers and prevents exposure through laws and procedures
Engineering Controls
What is an engineering control?
Engineering controls are the devices that isolate or remove bloodborne pathogen hazards from the workplace.
What are examples of these controls?
Get a Hepatitis B Vaccine
Wash your hands and exposed skin
Don’t eat or drink in contaminated areas
Avoid applying makeup
Don’t insert contact lenses
Work Practices
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2
3
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5
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Wear a mask to cover your mouth and nose
Wear goggles to protect your eyes
Wear gloves to protect your hands
Wear an apron to protect your clothes
VAHealthSystems Responsibilities
We will maintain and update the ECP regularly
We will provide appropriate PPE for your job
We will maintain reusable PPE
We will provide access to the Hepatitis B vaccine
Join the Breakout room you are assigned
1
Discuss ways in which you can protect yourself or prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens
2
Come back to the main room to debrief with the whole group
3
Breakout Room Question #4
Answer each question as it is presented
B
Check the leaderboard for your results!
C
Time for a quick check
Post-Exposure Procedures
It’s important to remember what to do if you are exposed to potentially infected blood.
Always contact your supervisor if you have been exposed to contaminated bodily fluids.
VAHealthSystems provides free confidential medical care if you have been exposed.
First Steps After Exposure
Wash area with soap and water
Flush nose and mouth with water
Irrigate eyes with water or saline
Report exposure to supervisor
Get medical follow up
Record the injury and information about the incident
POST EXPOSURE MEDICAL FOLLOW UP
Get testing
Get support
Breakout Room Question #5
Join the Breakout room you are assigned
Review what you should do once you have been exposed to potentially infected blood or bodily fluids
Come back to the main room to debrief with the whole group
Final Quiz
You may take this as many times as you need to
pass. 80% or higher will allow you to pass the course.
Review this information before you begin.
Sources of Bloodborne Pathogens
Click below to access your Final Quiz
1. Recognize hazardous contaminated items in the workplace
2. Identify methods of exposure to avoid contamination
3. Demonstrate how to control exposure to hazardous contaminated items
4. Conduct post exposure procedures in the event of an exposure incident.
In this course you learned how to:
1-800-555-5550
www.vahealthsystems.com
Thank
You
VAHealthSystems appreciates your attention to this safety training.
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