Bloodbourne Pathogens
What are sharps?
a general term for any device or item that may accidentally penetrate the skin of a person handling it
What is a false negative blood test?
a test result that appears negative when person is affected
What is a false positive blood test?
a test result that appears positive when person isnt affected
What is casual contact?
sharing a meal/utensils/drinking glass, kissing/hugging/touching, being around someone who sneezes/coughs, and sharing a phone/bathroom
What do face masks protect?
the mouth and nose
What is decontamination?
the use of physical/chemical means to remove, inactivate, destroy bloodborne pathogens
When worn with goggles, what does the face mask protect?
the whole face
What are the 4 steps of the transmission process.
1. the process begins with someone with the infection 2. the infectious pathogen leaves the infected person's body 3. the infectious pathogen reaches another person and enters his/her body 4. the second person develops the infection
What is the approved disinfectant?
10% bleach solution
What pathogen can live longer than other pathogens outside the body and very little blood is needed to cause infection?
HBV
Name the three most likely pathogens you will most likely come into contact with?
HBV HCV HIV
Which virus causes AIDS?
HIV
How is HIV infection most likely to occur with exposure to what products?
HIV contaminated blood, blood components, or blood products through injection through the skin, unprotected mucous membranes, and an open skin wounds
What are examples of work controls?
PPE, handwashing, decontaminating, and sterilizing equipment/areas, safely handling sharps, correctly disposing of wastes, safely handling laundry, and good personal habits
check off which symptoms may be present with HCV. 1. nausea b. hair loss c. abdominal pain d. loss of appetite e. sores that do not heal f. fatigue
all but B and E.
HBV may enter the body through: a. skin abrasions b. open cuts c. mucous membranes d. all of the above
all of the above
OPIM includes: salvia in dental procedures, semen, vaginal secretions, or all of the above?
all of the above
What other substances can contain bloodborne pathogens? (Check all that apply): a. HBV- containing cultures or other solutions b. breast milk c. tissue or organ cultures or cell cultures containing HIV d. animal blood e. vomit containing blood
all of them
check off items that are considered PPE. a. latex gloves b. face shield c. face mask d. booties e. jumpsuit f. goggles
all of them are PPE
What are general guidelines for decontamination/sterilization?
all reusable sharps (knives, scissors, scalpels) must be cleaned and sterilized after use decontaminate equipment and working surfaces with approved disinfectant disinfect personal items after handwashing use utensils to clean up broken glass
What is the time from exposure to developing HBV?
average: 12 weeks range: 4 weeks - 6months
How long does HCV take from time of exposure to developing HCV take?
average: 7 weeks range: 3 weeks- 5months
What is vector transmission?
bitten by insect or other vehicle carrying the pathogen
What is the vehicle that HCV is spread?
blood
How is hep B transmitted?
blood and OPIM
What is the most infectious OPIM for HBV?
blood and semen
What is regulated waste?
blood or OPIM in liquid/semi-liquid state items contaminated with blood or OPIM that could release liquid when squeezed items with dried blood that could be spread by handling contaminated sharps lab specimens containing blood or OPIM
How do you know if you have HBV?
blood test (may not be accurate)
How do you know if you have HCV?
blood tests
How does HBV affect the body?
causes liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer
What does AIDS damage?
cells that are essential for immune function
What should you remember while using gloves?
check that gloves are intact do not use petroleum based hand lotions remove contaminated gloves carefully dispose of gloves properly
What is bloodborne transmission?
coming into contact with blood, other body material, or infectious material where the pathogen enters the body through the mucous membranes or non-intact skin
When does direct contact occur?
contact with an infected person/fluids/substances
When does indirect contact occur?
contact with contaminated objects, food/drink, droplets in air, or vectors
Name at least three places biohazardous warning labels must appear.
containers for waste that may contain contaminated materials, freezers/refrigerators used for blood/opim, containers used to transport/ship/store blood/OPIM, contaminated equipment until proper cleaning procedures are complete, laundry bags used to hold/transport contaminated clothing, and entrances to places containing potentially infectious materials
Warning labels must displayed where?
containers for waste that may, freezers/refrigerators used for blood/opim, containers used to transport/ship/store blood/OPIM, contaminated equipment, laundry bags used to hold/transport contaminated clothing, and entrances to places containing potentially infectious materials
What are work practice controls?
controls that reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the manner in which a task is performed
Regulated waste includes: a. contaminated sharps b. clothing with dried blood on it c. lab specimens containing OPIM d. all of the above
d.
engineering controls include: a. needless injection systems b. eye wash stations c. biohazard labels d. all of the above
d.
What are engineering controls?
devices that isolate/remove the bloodborne pathogen hazard from the workplace
What is the primary risk of HCV transmission for healthcare providers?
direct contact with infectious blood by accidental needlestick/injury with other sharps
What is the most likely mode of transmission of HBV?
direct contact with infectious blood through a needlestick or injury by another sharp instrument
How is HCV spread most often?
drug injections with contaminated needles
How is HCV spread?
drug injections with contaminated needles, unclean tattoo/body piercing tools, sharing toothbrushes/razors/any item contaminated with blood, from infected mother to fetus, or sexual contact
What are the guidelines for handling sharps?
employers must put sharps disposal containers in easily accessible areas where sharps are used needles must not be recapped, removed, bent, sheared, or broken the entire needle/syringe assembly must be disposed of in a sharps container when medically necessary, a mechanical device may be used to recap a contaminated needle, or remove it from disposable syringe
What do face shields protects?
eyes, mouth, and nose
True or false: AIDS is not fatal.
false
True or false: bloodborne pathogens are present in all human blood and will cause disease in people who have weak immune systems
false
True or false: employers are required to purchase all newly developed devices that help prevent employees from exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
false
True or false: equipment must be decontaminated with a 25% bleach solution
false
True or false: it is acceptable to patch a small hole in your gloves with a Band-Aid
false
True or false: there are only three bloodborne pathogens: HBV, HCV, and HIV
false
true or false: HCV can be spread through any exposure to saliva, sweat, or semen
false
true or false: eating in an area used for lab research on human tissue specimens poses little risk and is generally acceptable as long as you wear gloves.
false
True or false: If you are wearing prescription eyeglasses, you do not need to wear eye protection (if it is needed)
false, must use side shields
True or false: Antibacterial handwashing liquid will suffice for first washing after exposure.
false: for the first wash is fine, but a thorough scrubbing with soap and water is needed asap
True or false: if you wash your hands with waterless soap, further cleansing is not necessary.
false: thorough scrubbing with water and soap is needed
True or false: you may pick up broken glass with gloved hands.
false: with tongs/forceps
What are the symptoms of HCV?
fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, anxiety, weight loss, alcohol intolerance, abdominal pain, loss of concentration, and jaundice
Name all of the PPE.
gown, gloves, jumpsuits, aprons, eye shields, goggles, face masks, face shields, caps, and booties
What are preventive measures for HCV?
handle needles and other sharps with caution, follow barrier practices with blood and OPIM, avoid recreational IV drugs, never reuse/share syringes or drug paraphernalia. do not share toothbrushes/razors/other personal care items that may be contaminated with blood, get vaccinated, remember the health risks associated with tattoos and body piercing if tools are not sterile/sanitary practices are not followed
What groups should get testing for HCV according to the CDC?
healthcare workers who have been exposed, anyone who has used recreational IV drugs, received a blood transfusion/organ transplant/ on kidney dialysis prior to 1992, treated with a blood product prior to 1987, anyone with signs of liver disease
Where does HCV live?
in the blood of people with the disease
What is airborne transmission?
inhalation of the pathogen in tiny droplets in the air
How is HBV spread?
injection, mucous mebranes, sexual activity, infected mother to newborn at birth, sharing a razor/toothbrush/drug paraphernalia
How must sharps containers be?
leakproof, resistant to puncture/other damage, able to be securely closed, and labeled with a biohazard warning
What kind of disease is hep C?
liver
What are the symptoms of HBV?
loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, fatigue, muscle/joint aches, mild fever, stomach pain, jaundice (occasionally)
What do you do with contaminated clothes?
must be put in special laundry bags that are clearly labeled and color-coded to be sent to an approved laundry facility
describe what to do if your clothing briefly contacts a spill that may contain an infectious liquid.
must be put in special laundry bags that are clearly labeled and color-coded to be sent to an approved laundry facility
What poses one of the greatest risks to healthcare workers?
needles
What are examples of engineering controls?
needless IV systems, self-sheathing needles/syringes, eye wash stations, handwashing facilities, sharps containers, and biohazard labels
What are gloves made out of?
nitrile, vinyl, latex, or other waterproof material
Is there vaccine for HCV?
no
What are people with AIDS more susceptible to?
opportunistic infection
What does OPIM stand for?
other potentially infectious materials
What is considered OPIM?
saliva, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, amniotic fluid, CSF, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, any body fluid visibly contaminated with blood, blood/organs/tissue from experimented animals infected with HBV/HIV, tissue/organ cultures or cell cultures containing HIV, unfixed tissues or organs from a human, and HBV-containing cultures or other solutions
How can HIV be detected sometimes?
saliva, tears, urine, CSF, and amniotic fluid
What is another name for HBV?
serum hepatitis
How long can HBV survive at room temp?
several days
Name the groups who the CDC should get the vaccine for HBV?
those who have unprotected sex with a partner that has HBV/ who has many partners, have anal sex, use IV recreational drugs, hemophilia, frequently travel to/live in countries where HBV is common, and who live with someone with chronic HBV
How is HIV transmitted?
through an infected person's body fluids: blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, and OPIM
True or false: HIV is not an airborne virus, nor can it be contracted from the bite of a mosquito/flea/tick/or other bloodsucking vermin
true
True or false: an employers is required to provide the HBV vaccine at no charge to employees at risk
true
True or false: casual contact does not result in the transmission of the virus
true
True or false: exposures do not always cause infection
true
True or false: mucous membranes of the face can be protected by wearing a mask and goggles.
true
True or false: prevent entry of pathogens into your mouth or eyes by keeping your hands away from your face.
true
True or false: used gloves should be disposed of like hazardous waste
true
True or false:more than one blood test may be necessary in some cases to determine if a person has HBV?
true
true or false: HCV can cause eventual liver failure.
true
true or false: never use a vacuum cleaner to clean a floor of potentially infectious material.
true
true or false: reusable sharps include knives and scissors.
true
What is sterilize?
using a chemical/physical procedure to destroy all microbial life on the item
What are preventive measures for HBV?
using barriers to prevent contact with any blood and OPIM, handling sharps with extreme care, avoiding recreational IV drugs/tatooing/body piercing without sterile tools, and not sharing any personal are items that may be contaminated with blood
What is the best protection against HBV?
vaccine
Name general guidelines to handwashing?
wash any exposed skin, be gentle around scabs/sores, and wash all surfaces
When should you always clean under your fingernails when washing your hands?
when exposed to infectious material
Name the factors for the risk of infection after an exposure.
whether pathogens are present in the source of blood or body fluid, number of pathogens present, type of injury/exposure, and current health and immunization status