Chapter 19

Personal Protective Equipment

(PPE) items such as protective clothing, masks, gloves, and eyewear used to protect employees

Blood-borne pathogens

disease-causing organisms transferred through contact with blood or other body fluids

Universal Precautions

guideline based on treating all human blood and body fluids (including saliva) as potentially infectious

OSHA Blood-borne Pathogens Standard

guidelines designed to protect employees against occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens

Acquired Immunity

immunity that is developed during a persons lifetime

Inherited Immunity

immunity that is present at birth

Naturally Acquired Immunity

immunity that occurs when a person has contracted and is recovering from a disease

Infection Control

policies and practices designed to prevent the spread of infectious agents

Standard Precautions

standard of care designed to protect healthcare providers from pathogens that can be spread by blood or any other fluid via excretion or secretion

Hazardous Waste

waste that pose danger to humans or to the environment