Bloodborne pathogens are infectious diseases that are transmitted by blood and other bodily fluids. They can also be passed from one person to another through sharing needles or other equipment used to inject drugs, tattooing, and piercing. Bloodborne pathogens include HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV), Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus 1 (HTLV-1), and the West Nile Virus. Healthcare workers (HCWs) need to be tested for these pathogens every 30 days to ensure they do not contract them while performing their duties in a hospital or nursing home. These infections can cause severe health problems such as cirrhosis of the liver/liver failure which may lead to death if left untreated
What is a Bloodborne Pathogen?
Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms that can be transmitted from person to person through the exchange of body fluids. These pathogens include hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and other viruses such as West Nile virus, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2.
The most common way for healthcare workers to become infected with a bloodborne pathogen is by being stuck with a needle or other sharp object contaminated with someone else's blood during an injection procedure or surgery. Healthcare workers who are exposed to these pathogens must take special precautions because they can be at risk of getting sick if infected by one of them.
How Do You Get Infected With A Bloodborne Pathogen?
You can get infected with a bloodborne pathogen through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. This can happen if you:
- Use contaminated needles or other sharp objects.
- Are stuck by a needle that has been used on someone else (also known as being "pricked").
- Touch your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching an infectious material such as blood or bodily fluids (for example, when cleaning up after an accident).
Who Needs To Be Tested for Bloodborne Pathogens?
As a healthcare worker, you are at risk of being exposed to bloodborne pathogens. If you have not been tested for HIV and other infectious diseases and do not know your status, it is important that you get tested.
If your certification has expired or if there are any changes in your situation (for example, if you start or stop working with patients), make sure to re-test yourself as soon as possible so that you can continue working safely at the hospital.
When And How Often Should I Get Tested For BHBPs?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you should get tested at least once a year. If you are at high risk of exposure, such as working in a hospital or medical lab, then it's best to get tested more often than once every 12 months. The most common ways that bloodborne pathogens are transmitted are:
- Needle sticks (when needles or other sharp objects accidentally pierce the skin)
- Sharp objects such as scissors or scalpels used during medical procedures
- Splashes of blood or other body fluids into the eyes, mouth, and nose when performing certain procedures like injections
What Happens If I Am Positive For BHBPs?
If you are positive for BHBPs, you will be given post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). This is a treatment that helps prevent the spread of the virus after exposure. While it does not cure HIV or other diseases, it can reduce their symptoms and make them less likely to become infected with these diseases.
PEP involves taking medication daily for 28 days after an exposure happens. These medications include antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), which work by slowing down how fast HIV replicates in your body so that it doesn't spread as quickly through your system as it would if left untreated; they also help protect healthy cells from damage caused by HIV infection while stopping any new viruses from forming inside them too quickly
What Are The Key Elements of a Good BHP Training Program?
The key elements of a good BHP training program include:
- Importance of Training
Training is critical to ensure that healthcare workers are aware of the risks, symptoms, and control measures associated with BHBPs. It's important for the trainers to have knowledge about how these pathogens spread, as well as how they can be prevented or controlled. Trainers should also be able to explain what happens when someone comes in contact with BHBPs; whether it's through direct contact or through airborne transmission (e.g., coughing). They need to know who is most at risk for exposure so they can take precautions accordingly (e.g., isolating patients). The trainer should also be able to demonstrate methods used in cleaning rooms where there may have been an outbreak so students can see exactly how everything works together as part of an integrated plan for protecting patients from becoming infected themselves while also preventing contamination among other staff members working nearby who might come into contact with bodily fluids on surfaces like bed sheets etcetera."
Takeaway:
A bloodborne pathogen is any microorganism that can cause disease in humans and can be transmitted by contaminated blood or other body fluids. These pathogens include viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and prions (a type of protein).
Bloodborne Pathogens Training is an important part of your job as a healthcare worker because it teaches you how to stay safe while on the job. It also provides information on what happens if you become infected with a bloodborne pathogen at work or elsewhere.
If you have questions about how to get certified or need more information about this training program please contact us today!
Conclusion
A bloodborne pathogen is any pathogen that can be transmitted through blood. These pathogens include hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS, and other viruses. A healthcare worker should always take precautions when coming in contact with a patient's blood or body fluids. This includes wearing gloves and using proper disposal methods for medical waste such as needles or other sharp objects that may have been contaminated with human fluids during surgery or treatment process.
