Bloodborne Pathogens

Cleaning a Spill

Begin at edges, pour disinfectant over spill (10% bleach in water). OSHA allows EPA-registered disinfectant for HIV and Hep B. Let treated area sit for 15 minutes before leaning with towels. Wash area with disinfectant soap solution and dispose trash in hazardous waste bags/containers

What main diseases are associated with BBPs

Hep B, Hep C, and HIV.

infectious disease labels

An orange or red biohazard label should be placed on the containers used to store or transport potentially infectious material.

How are BBPs transmitted

BBPs are found in many types of body fluids, cells, and tissues and can be spread through any type of contact

What are my rights

A safe workplace, training, task specific-training, access to PPE, copy of the UA Exposure Control Plan

Hep C Vaccine

Considered more dangerous form, relatively long incubation period (10 years or longer) and may cause substantial liver damage. Symptoms similar to Hep B. Estimated infection risk form single exposure is 2-16%. Blood test verifies infection. Not curable but treatable with meds. Currently no vaccine

HIV

Destroys immune systems, leads to increasingly severe and prolonged infection. Leads to AIDS. Managed with meds (no cure), the lowest rate of transmission of the BIg 3 (<1%).

Legal Requirements

Employers must have an Exposure COntrol Plan, must offer the Hep B vaccine, and must keep records of incidents, training, and vaccinations

How can I recognize bloodborne pathogen risks in my workplace

Greatest risks come from puncture wounds, splashes to mucous membranes of the face, contact between unprotected broken skins and infectious material. A single exposure can result in infection

Hep B

Highest transmission rate of the Big 3. Up to 30% infection rate from single exposure, Approxiately 0.5% of US population are carriers. Can presnet short or long-term infection. Infection increases liver cancer, cirrhosis, or kidney disease risks

Where Can BBPs be found

In human blood or other potentially infectious material

Engineering Controls, Work Practices, and Training

Labs require good practices

Long-term Hep B (chronic)

Longer onset (6-18 months), may present fewer symptoms than acute, approximately 30% of chronic infections have no visible symptoms, chronic infections can present as chronic liver inflammation

What is a bloodborne pathogen?

Microorganisms present in the blood, blood products, or other potentially infectious material and cause disease. Micro-oragnisms inclue virus, bacteria, or parasite

Contaminated Waste Disposal

Must be double bagged in 2 mil red plastic bags. Bags placed in biohazardous waste container. Sharps containers dispose in biohazardous waste containers (don't need to be bagged)

Signs and Labels

OSHA regulations require biohazard labels. Doors to rooms that contain BBPs require placards indicating the hazard, any special requirements, and contact information for the person in charge. All biohazardous containers and material must clearly be marked by stickers, labels, tags, and/or biohazard bags

Hep B Vaccine

Offered free to UA, Effective and fee of side effects, offers life long protection, vaccination is optional

Barreir Precautions

Physical barriers that protect used from BBPs including coat, gloves, and eye protection, mask, and hair net.

Hand washing

Prevents spreading disease and should always be done before leaving the workplace, eating/drinking, tobacco use, applying cosmetics, and inserting contact lenses.

If a spill of blood or OPIM occurs

Remain calm, don't expose yourself, correct the mistake.

Other Potentially Infectious Matieral

Semen/vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, synovial fluid (joints), amniotic flueid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid (abdomen), or any fluid contaminated with blood.

Sharps Precautions

Shaprs never broken or bent by hand, should never be re-capped or re-used unless required, and placed in appropriately labeled sharps container

Reducing injuring risk from splashes

Skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth, or ears) can be exposed to BBPs blood or OPIM generated during a procedure. Wear PPE to negate risks.

Reducing injuring risk from spills

Spills or deposits of blood or OPIM exposes employees to BBPS. Clean spills immediately

Short-Term HBV (acute)

Symptoms inclue nausea, appetite loss, vomiting, dark uring, body aches, mild fever, jaundice. It has a rapid onset and is treatable with medication. Can result in liver failure if left untreated

Standard Precautions

System of PPE, engineering controls, work practices, and activity-specific training designed to ensure the worker's safety. Following Standard precautions reduces exposure risk and should always be used. Standard Precautions include barrier precautions, hand washing, sharps precautions, and contaminated waste disposal.

Exposure Follow-Up

The tests will be conducted for free within 10 days of exposure and again at 18 months (and again if medically indicated). Treatment will be free and the results will only be available for the patient.

Reducing injuring risk from sharps

This type of exposure poses the greatest risk (along with direct contact between infectious material and broken skin) Never recap sharps and only re-use when specifically required by procedure. Dispose sharps in red containers, dosn't leave sharps unattended, handled uncapped sharps carefully, be aware of others carrying sharps.

General Guidelines for Work Practices

Use Class II biological safety cabinets for potential BBPs. Decontaminate equipment prior to servicing, all work areas must be clean and orderly. No food etc. Minimize splashes and sprays from procedure, keep infectious specimens secure

Other BBP

Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (Ebola), Bacterial infections (Brucellosis/Syphilis), Parasitic diseases (Babesiosis)

Occupational Exposure

Wash exposed skin with soap and water, rinse exposed mucous membranes for 10-15 minutes. Report incident to supervisor so an Incident Report Form can be filled out. Seek care.

How can I protect myself

Wear PPE, be aware of surroundings, know safety procedure, adhere signs/labels, BBPS are in multiple tissues

Containing a Spill

Wear PPE, isolate spill/limit foot traffic, cover spill with paper towels.

OSHA

governmental agency that regulates bloodborne pathogen safety in the workplace