Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria that are carried in blood and can cause disease in people. Bloodborne Pathogen control in the workplace is an essential program to keep employees safe if they are required to provide first aid care in the workplace.
Bloodborne Pathogen Post Exposure Procedures
• Document the route of exposure and exposure event circumstances
• Identify and document the source individual
• Test the source individual’s blood for HBV and HIV as soon as possible.
• Have your blood tested
• Administer post exposure prophylaxes
• Provide counseling.
• Evaluate reported illnesses.
Recordkeeping
Employers who have employees who are occupationally exposed to bloodborne pathogens or other potentially infectious materials, and who are required to maintain a log of occupational injuries and illnesses under existing recordkeeping rules, must also maintain a sharps injury log. That log will be maintained in a manner that protects the privacy of employees..
There are many different Bloodborne Pathogens including,
• Malaria
• Syphilis
• Brucellosis
• Hepatitis B (HBV)
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Hazard Controls
Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure control is achieved though use of Universal Precautions, use of proper PPE, access control to biohazard waste & storage, use of proper disinfectant and disposal procedures and employee training.
Transmission
Bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted through contact with infected human blood and other potentially infectious body fluids.
Occupational exposure can occur through:
• Accidental puncture from contaminated needles, broken glass, or other sharps
• Contact between broken or damaged skin and infected body fluids
• Contact between mucous membranes and infected body fluids
Anytime there is blood-to-blood contact with infected blood or body fluids, there is a slight potential for transmission. Unbroken skin forms an impervious barrier against bloodborne pathogens. However, infected blood can enter your system through:
• Open sores
• Cuts
• Abrasions
• Acne
• Any sort of damaged or broken skin such as sunburn or blisters
In an emergency situation involving blood or potentially infectious materials, you should always use Universal Precautions and try to minimize your exposure by wearing gloves, splash goggles, pocket mouth-to-mouth resuscitation masks, and other barrier devices.
Exposure – If you are exposed, however, you should:
Wash the exposed area thoroughly with soap and running water. Use non-abrasive, antibacterial soap if possible.
If blood is splashed in the eye or mucous membrane, flush the affected area with running water for at least 15 minutes.
Engineering Controls
Engineering Controls include all control measures that isolate or remove bloodborne pathogen a hazard from the workplace, such as sharps disposal containers and self-sheathing needles. The original bloodborne pathogens standard was not specific regarding the applicability of various engineering controls (other than the above examples) in the healthcare setting.
