Bloodborne Pathogens

Objectives:

• What are bloodborne pathogens?– Epidemiology, signs and symptoms

• How are they transmitted?– Modes of transmission

• How can I protect myself?– Universal precautions

What are bloodborne pathogens?

• Any pathogens found in blood and body fluids that can cause disease

• The most commonly transmitted bloodborne diseases are:– HIV– Hepatitis B– Hepatitis C

Exposure

Mode of transmission:• Blood• Body Fluids- semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid,

amniotic fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, and any fluid visibly contaminated with blood

• Broken skin, open sores, abrasions, cuts

– Can be transmitted through mucous membranes, Eyes, Nose, Mouth

Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV)

• HIV is the virus that causes AIDS• Immune system looses its ability to fight

infections• Virus can lay dormant, if infected may not

show signs and symptoms for years • Advancements in treatment have been made• No Cure

How is HIV transmitted?

• Infection can happen when you accidently injure yourself with a sharp object

• Broken glass, sharp metal, needles, knives, exposed ends of orthodontics

• Open cuts, nicks, skin abrasions, dermatitis, acne, mucous membranes of your mouth, eyes, nose

Hepatitis B

• Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver• Hepatitis B is a virus that effects the liver• Symptoms if apparent are “flu like”– Weakness, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea,

vomiting Hepatitis B vaccine available for prevention

Hepatitis B Transmission

• Blood• Intimate contact• From infected mother

to fetus

Hepatitis C

• Most chronic bloodborne infection in the U.S.• Causes scaring of the liver, can also cause liver

cancer• Symptoms similar to Hepatitis B– Fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, loss of appetite No vaccine for Hepatitis C

Hep C transmission

• Spread through blood and intimate contact

• Injection drug use• Tattoos• Blood

transfusions/organ transplants before 1992

• Child born to infected mother

How can I protect myself?

• Reduce the risk• Handwashing!• Universal Precautions– Treat all blood and body

fluids as being contaminated and potentially infectious

– Gloves, sharps containers, bio hazard bags

Handwashing

Personal Protective Equipment(PPE)

• Personal protective equipment protects you from contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials

• Equipment may include:– Gloves, gowns or aprons,

face shields, protective eye wear, mouthpieces for resuscitation.

Housekeeping

• If you must clean up blood or body fluids, wear appropriate PPE

• Use a solution of 10 % bleach for cleaning

• Disinfect mops and cleaning tools as soon as possible

• Never pick up broken glass with bare hands, use tongs or broom and dustpan

• Place contaminated sharps in puncture resistant sharps containers and other potentially infectious materials in biohazard bags

Housekeeping Procedures Procedure for Cleaning Contaminated Surfaces

1. Use gloves. Use PPE as appropriate.2. Place paper towels on the spill.3. Thoroughly soak the area with a 10% solution of bleach (1 oz. Bleach to 9 oz. water.This must be made fresh at the time of need because the effectiveness is lost afterone day). The solution may be poured or sprayed on the area.4. Let the solution set for at least two minutes5. Scoop up paper towels with dry paper towels and discard in a clean plastic bag.6. Repeat procedure.7. Remove gloves and discard in the same plastic bag.8. Wash hands thoroughly.

9. Use a second clean bottle of 10% bleach solution to spray on the first contaminatedbottle and around the clean up area. Let set for two minutes, then dry with a papertowel.10. Discards not deemed biohazardous waste shall be placed in plastic bags fordisposal.11. Discards deemed biohazardous waste. This should be placed in second red plastic bag for appropriate disposal. In all cases, remove most of the air from all plastic bags and be careful not to touch the inside of the bags. Tie a knot in bags to close. Redbags shall be taken to a central biohazardous waste area and placed inappropriately labeled container for special disposal. Each school has a Biohazard Waste Company on file to call.

Exposure Incident

• If you come in contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials through eyes, mouth, other mucous membranes, non-intact skin or puncture; the following steps must be followed:– Immediately wash area with soap and water– If splashed in eyes or contact with mucous

membrane occurs, flush area with water– Report immediately to school nurse or principal

Prepared by:Vandana Mall UTA Senior Community Nursing Student

& Comments by:Nancy Eder, RN

School Nurse ConsultantOffice of Catholic Schools

Diocese of Fort WorthApril 1, 2011