Bloodborne pathogen Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.

As a healthcare worker, you come into contact with materials that may contain bloodborne pathogens. These are infectious organisms, usually viruses, which live in human blood and body fluids.The most important ones are: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

In December of 1991, OSHA issued a standard to guard against occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. This standard, part 1910.1030 of the Code of Federal Regulations was published in the Federal Register.On November 27, 2001, OSHA published a compliance directive 2-2.69 that now includes the revisions to the original standard.These regulations are law!Many states have an additional occupation exposure statute that must be followed as well. Your supervisor will know if this applies to you.

Preventative measures are actions that you can take to protect yourself from bloodborne pathogens. They include: Hepatitis B Vaccine Standard Precautions

Engineering Controls are devices which isolate the worker from the hazard of exposure.Examples include: Self-sheathing needles Sharps disposal containers Disposable resuscitation bags Microbiological safety cabinets Handwashing facilitiesProper use of engineering controls in your workplace will help protect you from bloodborne pathogens.

Although the specimens that were discussed on the previous page are not subject to the Division 6.2 requirements for packaging and labeling, it is important to remember that there are other packaging and labeling requirements that may apply, such as OSHA requirements included in the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, healthcare facility requirements, and laboratory regulatory agency requirements, such as those of the Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists. If the package is being sent by air, IATA, does require an exempt specimen to be marked as "Exempt Human Specimen," or "Exempt Animal Specimen." The DOT does not require this marking, so it would not be necessary if the specimen is being shipped by ground.

The most important bloodborne pathogens are: Hepatitis B and C & Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Hepatitis B is very infectious via the blood-borne route. 30% of needle-sticks from patients who are Hepatitis B will result in infection. Hepatitis C is much more common in the United States. HIV is rarely transmitted via needle-stick injury. Nevertheless, utmost care is needed, because of its very serious nature. HIV is not transmitted by casual contact.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), of the federal government has mandated bloodborne pathogen training for all US workers who are at risk of exposure. The next few slides cover a few highlights of this training. You will receive complete OSHA bloodborne pathogens training before you begin work.

Potentially infectious body fluids include: Blood, Semen, Vaginal Secretion, Peritoneal, pericardial and pleural fluids, and Saliva Sweat and tears are not generally considered infectious. It is important to remember that bloodborne pathogens are not transmitted by casual contact, like a handshake.

An important element of safety is personal protective equipment (PPE). This must be provided to phlebotomists by their facility and may include gloves, lab coats and protective eyewear. An N95 respirator (shown in the lower image) or other respiratory protection may be required to protect the phlebotomist from Mycobacterium tuberculosis or other airborne infectious agents. Phlebotomists and other healthcare workers must be medically cleared and fit-tested to wear N95 respirators. For the phlebotomist, gloves are required during every procedure. The gloves must remain totally intact. The gloves cannot be altered in any way as to expose the hand or fingers to potential bloodborne pathogens. Never remove all or part of the finger tip of the glove while performing venipuncture.