Bloodborne Pathogens quick facts

Diseases of primary concern are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.

Bloodbone pathogens are spread through direct contact, indirect contact, droplet transmission and vector-borne transmission.

Direct contact occurs when infected blood or body fluids from one person enter another person’s body at a correct entry site.

Indirect contact occurs when a person touches an object that contains the blood or body fluid of an infected person, and that infected blood or body fluid enters the body at a correct entry site.

Droplet transmission occurs when a person inhales droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze.

Vector-borne transmission occurs when the body’s skin is penetrated by an infectious source.

Four conditions must be met for transmission:

A pathogen is present.

There is enough of the pathogen present to cause disease.

A person is susceptible to the pathogen.

The pathogen passes through the correct entry site.

Remember this is all preventable:

Universal precautions and standard precautions:

Standard precautions you should take while providing care include:

Avoiding contact with blood and other body fluids.

Using personal protective equipment, such as disposable gloves, protective eyewear, protective footwear, gowns and breathing barriers.

Using safer equipment such as self-sheathing needles, needleless systems or sharps with engineered sharps protection.

Placing sharps in proper containers.

Cleaning and disinfecting all possibly contaminated work surfaces and equipment after each use.

Avoiding touching your eyes, mouth and nose while providing care or when exposure to infectious materials is possible.

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Avoid eating drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, or handling contact lenses while providing care or when exposure to infectious materials is possible.

Thoroughly washing your hands with soap and warm water or other disinfectant products immediately after providing care, even if you are using disposable gloves.

Use alcohol based rubs where handwashing facilities are not available.

Remove/dispose of soiled protective clothing as soon as possible.

Disposing of contaminated materials in appropriate receptacles.

Exposure procedures:

Exposure incidents involve contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.

If there is an exposure:

Clean the area of contact.

Write down what happened.

Notify your supervisor.

Immediately seek medical attention.

Follow your facility’s post-exposure policies and procedures.

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Info on proper handwashing is at: https://members.kaiserpermanente.org/kpweb/healthency.do?hwid=tv7076spec

The latest on bloodborne pathogens is at: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/index.html

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ebola/

https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/pdf/ems-checklist-ebola-preparedness.pdf

http://www.wakegov.com/ems/medical/Pages/systemtreatmentprotocols.aspx

Generally, the vaccinations you got as a child will protect you the rest of your life, with a few exceptions. An adult recommended vaccinations schedule is at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/index.html

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see also:

digital Red Cross textbooks

Oxygen administration quick facts

CPR quick facts

AED quick facts

How to pass a Red Cross written test

First Aid for Public Safety Personnel study guide

Simple secondary survey study sheet

injuries quick facts

Common mistakes in Professional Rescuer CPR skills

Common mistakes in professional rescuer CPR skills - Lifeguard Training

Cultural issues in first aid