Bloodborne PathogensBloodborne Pathogens

University of Northern IowaEH&S Training ProgramWellness Resource Lab

An overview of OSHA regulations and An overview of OSHA regulations and UNI proceduresUNI procedures

Web Based Training was Created for Web Based Training was Created for UNI Employees with the Intent to:UNI Employees with the Intent to:

Expand awareness of existing environmental, health and safety policies/procedures

Provide information to assist in evaluating and improving each work environment

Assist in determining the need for more advanced training

Is that blood on the Is that blood on the floor?floor?

I must tell someone!I must tell someone!

Topics CoveredTopics Covered

Transmission of Potentially Infectious Materials

Common Bloodborne Diseases

Personal Protective Equipment

Controlling Potentially Infectious Materials

Labeling Potentially Infectious Materials

Exposure Control Plan

Who needs this training?Who needs this training?

Any employee or student who may be occupationally exposed to blood and other potentially infectious materials at the University of Northern Iowa

Bloodborne Pathogens are Bloodborne Pathogens are classified as anything that classified as anything that

contains human blood, contains human blood, blood products, or blood products, or blood componentsblood components

DefinitionDefinition

TRANSMISSION OF TRANSMISSION OF POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS

HUMAN BODY FLUIDSHUMAN BODY FLUIDS

Saliva in dental procedures

Semen and vaginal secretions

Cerebrospinal, synovial, pleural, pericardial, peritoneal, and amniotic fluids

Body fluids visibly contaminated with blood

HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures and HIV or HBV-containing culture mediums or other solutions

Potentially Infectious Human Potentially Infectious Human Body Fluids Include:Body Fluids Include:

Modes of Transmission for Modes of Transmission for Bloodborne PathogensBloodborne Pathogens

Any form of broken skin, which includes:

Abrasions Blisters Burns Cuts Eyes, nose, mouth Punctures from sharp objects

Bloodborne Pathogens are not Bloodborne Pathogens are not passed through the air like cold passed through the air like cold

and flu germs.and flu germs.

TransmissionTransmission

They are most commonly transmitted by:

Accidental puncture of skin by sharp contaminated objects

Contact of broken skin

Contact of mucous membrane and body fluids

COMMONCOMMONBLOODBORNE DISEASESBLOODBORNE DISEASES

Universal PrecautionsUniversal Precautions

The single most important measure to prevent transmission of HBV and HIV is to treat all human blood and other potentially

infectious materials AS IF THEY ARE

infected with HBV and HIV.

Bloodborne Diseases: Bloodborne Diseases: Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeAcquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Over 1 million Americans have AIDS

The individual’s immune system is depleted

If infected, he or she may not have symptoms for years

There is no cure or vaccination but there are treatment options available to prolong an individual’s life

Bloodborne Diseases: Bloodborne Diseases: Hepatitis Hepatitis BB

The most common is a serious liver infection

Over 12 million people in the U.S. are infected

Up to 100,000 new people will be infected each year

If infected, one may or may not have symptoms

Symptoms may feel like the flu

Effects can be acute or chronic

Can be treated if detected early

Vaccination is available

Bloodborne Diseases: Bloodborne Diseases: Hepatitis Hepatitis CC

Over 3.9 million Americans have been infected.

There are approximately 25,000 new cases per year.

Chronic infection usually results in chronic liver disease. With about 5,000 deaths per year.

Infected individuals usually show no symptoms.

It is treatable if detected early.

There is no vaccination available.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTEQUIPMENT

#1 Method of Control#1 Method of Control

Personal protective equipment Personal protective equipment must be used throughout the must be used throughout the

duration of bloodborne duration of bloodborne pathogen exposurepathogen exposure

It is essential to have a barrier It is essential to have a barrier between you and the potentially between you and the potentially

infectious material.infectious material.

Protective barriers are Protective barriers are intended to prevent intended to prevent

blood or other blood or other potentially infectious potentially infectious

materials from materials from passing through to passing through to worker’s clothing, worker’s clothing, skin, or mucous skin, or mucous

membranes.membranes.

Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective Equipment

Equipment includes: latex, rubber or

vinyl gloves

gowns laboratory coats face shields or

masks eye protection

When Using Protective GlovesWhen Using Protective Gloves

Inspect for defects before use

Remove gloves and wash hands if gloves have become contaminated Do not snap gloves when removing them

Grasp gloves at the wrist and pull off, inside out

Discard in biohazard waste container

Always wash hands after removing gloves

Never reuse disposable gloves

Remove all personal protective equipment immediately after contamination or leaving the work area

Place all personal protective equipment in an appropriately designated area or container for storing, washing, decontaminating, or discarding

Replace disposable, gloves as soon as possible when contaminated or if torn, punctured, or barrier function is compromised

Do not reuse disposable gloves

Disposal of Personal Protective Disposal of Personal Protective EquipmentEquipment

CONTROLLING CONTROLLING POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS

MATERIALSMATERIALS

Engineering Controls:Engineering Controls:

Methods of ControlMethods of Control

Discard contaminated items like needles, broken glass, scalpels, or other sharp items, in puncture-resistant, leak-proof containers, color-coded red or labeled, according to the standard

Use puncture-resistant, leak-proof containers, color-coded red or labeled to store contaminated reusable sharps until they are properly reprocessed

Store and process reusable contaminated equipment that ensures safe handling

Use puncture-resistant, leak-proof containers to collect, handle, process, store, transport, or ship blood specimens and potentially infectious materials. Label these specimens if shipped outside the facility

Methods of ControlMethods of Control (cont.)

As soon as gloves are removed, wash hands to prevent any contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.

If exposure to the eye has occurred, use an eye wash immediately.

Unless required to do so by specific medical procedures or the employer, do not bend, recap, or remove contaminated needles.

Workplace Controls:Workplace Controls:

Methods of ControlMethods of Control (cont.)

Do not eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics, or handle contact lenses in areas of potential bloodborne pathogen exposure

Do not store food or drink in refrigerators or on shelves where blood or potentially infectious materials are present

Disinfect area as soon as work is complete

Use plastic instead of glass when available

Workplace Controls:Workplace Controls:

LABELING LABELING POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS

MATERIALSMATERIALS

Labels and Marking SystemsLabels and Marking Systems

Every discarded bloodborne pathogen must be placed in a container with either of these labels attached.

Labels and Marking SystemsLabels and Marking Systems

Universal Biohazard labels should be on all containers that are holding biohazard materials.

Doors or areas where biohazard material is stored should also be labeled.

Red bags may also be used to indicate the storage of biohazard materials.

EXPOSURE EXPOSURE CONTROL PLANCONTROL PLAN

Clean up of blood Clean up of blood spills will be done spills will be done by custodians only.by custodians only.

Anything that comes in Anything that comes in contact with blood or other contact with blood or other

biohazard materials biohazard materials must be disinfected must be disinfected

before reuse before reuse or discarded appropriatelyor discarded appropriately

DecontaminationDecontamination

UNI Exposure Control PlanUNI Exposure Control Plan

DocumentationDocumentation Accurate records must be kept of each department’s written exposure control plan at UNI Employee training must also be recorded

ReviewReview Each plan must be reviewed and updated annually to address university changes

InformationInformation Go to http://www.vpaf.uni.edu/ehso/programs/bloodborne2009.pdf to

view the UNI Physical Plant’s Exposure Control Plan

Reporting of Exposure IncidentsReporting of Exposure Incidents

Incident occursIncident occurs

Employee informs Employee informs supervisorsupervisor

Departmental exposure Departmental exposure control plan in effectcontrol plan in effect

Supervisor collects Supervisor collects all necessary all necessary

information for reportsinformation for reports

Supervisor provides copy Supervisor provides copy of the Bloodborne Pathogen of the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard to employee beforeStandard to employee beforehe/she goes to the hospitalhe/she goes to the hospital

Documentation of theDocumentation of theincident using a “post incident using a “post

exposure incident exposure incident confidential record” is recordedconfidential record” is recorded

For example, a Physical Plant employee will contact his/her direct supervisor who For example, a Physical Plant employee will contact his/her direct supervisor who will then contact the Safety Manager who will make arrangements will then contact the Safety Manager who will make arrangements

to get the employee to Sartori Hospital.to get the employee to Sartori Hospital.

Post-Exposure Evaluation Post-Exposure Evaluation and Follow-upand Follow-up

Documentation of the route of exposure and circumstances related to the incident

Identification of the potential source individual and status Results of testing the source individual will be made

available to the exposed employee Employee will be offered the option of having their blood

collected for testing. Blood will be kept on hand for 90 days then disposed of properly

Employee will be offered post exposure prophylaxis in accordance with current U.S. Public Health Services recommendations

Employee will be provided appropriate counseling

Training RequirementsTraining Requirements

Initial TrainingInitial Training Anyone who may be introduced to an

area where occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens may occur at UNI

Annual Refresher TrainingAnnual Refresher Training Required every 12 months to refresh

the details of bloodborne pathogen exposure procedures at UNI

Additional Training or InformationAdditional Training or Information

Contact:Contact:

The Environmental Health and Safety Office at 273-7269

The Wellness Resource Lab at 273-6119

Or Email:Or Email:

Joan Thompson joan.thompson@uni.edu Wendel Reece wendel.reece@uni.edu